Album Review

Feldspar – The Flat And Paper Sky, Volume 1

• 27th Sep 2012

This is Feldspar’s debut EP, the first of a pair to be released by the London based folk band. I think we can guess what the second will be called …

The collection takes its name from a book of poetry by Edith Sitwell called Façade, according to the band’s songwriter and frontman Will Green. And even a cursory listen to this five track EP will impress on you the poetic nature of the lyrics, which are at times dark but always full of wonderful imagery. They tell stories and they do it in a very visual manner.

Musically there is a great deal of variety between the songs. The name Feldspar may come from geology but this is clearly a folk rather than a rock band. They specialise in epic sounding tales but there is also some great guitar work, atmospheric strings and haunting violin parts that add much to the songs.

Let The Time Run starts with acoustic guitar and piano backing the strong vocal. The passionate lyrics tell of longing and loss quite beautifully. It’s bitter sweet and a fine opening to the EP. Cressida follows, a tale of Greek legend delivered in epic fashion with a lovely drum beat that sounds like a military march running through it. But again it is Green’s vocals that stand out most, even and fervent.

Sitting at the centre of the EP is its longest track, the five minute The Rest. Again there is a slow and delicate start, the soft and poetic lyrics of a love song backed by piano and strings. The haunting atmospheric tale tells of longing for a faraway lover in heartbreaking fashion. The track bursts into life, although the pain is still there before the piano takes over for a poignant finish.

Lady Danger has a faster pace and leans towards folk pop territory. Green extends his voice more here as the vocals soar in a track that features a fine guitar solo. The closing Shadow is short and again has a theme of isolation and loneliness. This one is slower in tempo but is as deep in feeling as the rest of the EP.

Volume 1 of The Flat And Paper Sky is a fine collection of songs delivered with real panache. The vocals are outstanding throughout and the musical backing is superb. I’m looking forward to Volume 2 already.