Stiv Cantarelli And The Silent Strangers
Album: Black Music/White Music
Label: Stovepony
Tracks: 9
Website: http://scandthess.bandcamp.com/

Somewhat unusually, "Black Music/White Music" was recorded at various locations across the Romagna Hills in Italy, but geography of an album's construction shouldn't be the main talking point and fortunately for Stiv Cantarelli And The Silent Strangers it's not.

Stiv Cantarelli and the boys are purveyors of a pretty original blend of folk orientated rock music with more than a nod towards the slightly spacey, slightly psyche. There is a very continental feel to the album and it serves the album well. This is one of those album's that not beholden to a single genre and yet still manages to sound like an album, rather than a collection of songs.

As the title implies, this is an album of contrasts, rocking blues, jockeying shoulder to shoulder with delicately picked guitar work. Poetic lyrics with a story to tell going toe to toe with hard, ring wary, almost punch drunk backing. It leads to a really fascinating album.

It is a difficult album to pin down, don't expect to like it all first time around, I know I didn't, but do give it time to grow on you, because it will reward the time you give it. Stiv Canarelli & The Silent Strangers take a no compromise approach to their recording and long term it definitely pays off. Hunt yourself down a copy of "Black Music/White Music" and let it mature to your hearing like a fine red does your tastebuds.

Neil King