Kris Drever: Mark The Hard Earth
Kris Drever: Mark The Hard Earth
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By Adam Leveridge
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Friday, 12, Mar 2010 02:09
Navigator, out March 15th.
What's it all about?
Quintessential Scottish folk. Not necessarily essential, though. This will be the second solo album from the Scottish singer, and reunites the folk star with plenty of people who helped him put together 2006 debut Black Water.
Who's it by?
Orkney-born Kris Drever hasn't gone unnoticed. In fact, the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards love the guy. In 2007, he picked up the gong for best newcomer and followed it up with the best group award two years running when teamed with Lau, his three-piece band with Martin Green and Aidan O'Rourke. He also got song of the year with Roddy Woomble (greatest name ever?) and John McCusker for his part in Poorest Company, given to him for his sterling work by Garden Sessions.
2010 is another year, however. He's clearly looking for a fourth consecutive year of awards.
What the others say
"While it is Drever's vocals that carry the record, it is the work of his players that really flavours it." - Drowned In Sound
"Whatever the direction may be, Mark the Hard Earth is ultimately carried by Drever's voice; one of undeniable maturity and depth." - The Skinny
So is it any good?
You've got to really like your folk to get a massive amount of enjoyment out of this one. Kris Drever is remarkably accomplished already and his skills show, though it's safe to say that it's a team effort; despite the guy's clear talent, it's the work of everyone around him that gives each song its atmosphere.
This offering is one that relies heavily, and quite rightly, on the use of lyrical content. A lot of it is truly wistful stuff, though Drever's nasal Scottish accent can sometimes get in the way of understanding everything he says. Whatever he says, it's consistently delivered with passion and epitomises what folk should focus on.
He's very reminiscent of fellow folk music award winner Chris Wood, whose album Handmade Life delivered in much the same way, though Wood's style seemed even more emotional and less reliant on quicker songs to deliver happier moods.
Sadly, Drever and co suffer a little from playing songs that, despite their best intentions, are water off a duck's back. There are certain times when a hook - such as the frenzied plucking of strings in The Call and the Answer, or the acoustic funk/country approach of Sweet Honey in the Rock - grabs you by the heart. Sadly, there are just as many songs that sound like just another folk song. While fans of the genre will probably enjoy it, those trying to break into the genre aren't presented with much to hold on to.
Another big letdown was that Shining Star was not, as I'd hoped, a cover of Earth Wind & Fire's song with the same name. A folk version of that would've been absolutely amazing, though instead it's a fiddle-heavy slow dance of beauty. The use of what sounds like a mandolin is absolutely gorgeous, too. Silver lining and all that.
It's good, but it's not great. Needless to say, the right demographic will approach it with glee; others, I'm not so sure of.
6.5/10
Matt Gardner