Album review: Kacy & Clayton

Kacy & Clayton - The Siren's Song (New West Records)

THIS IS a new album, but the cover instantly declares that in Kacy Anderson and Clayton Linthicum's world, every day is somewhere between 1965 and 1972, an impression confirmed and copper-fastened by the music within.

The Saskatchewan cousins' music is steeped in the British and American folk revival era, the Laurel Canyon scene, and especially the British folk-rock movement of the late 1960s, with clear nods to Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and Anne Briggs, and authentically re-creates the period's sound.

The Siren's Song, produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, is well balanced between the roots-rock orientated numbers and dextrous acoustic workouts, but is it just revivalism? Across it's nine tracks, what emerges is music grounded in solid songwriting, and driven as much by heart, soul, and emotion, as well as some superb musicianship - witness Clayton's guitar work on the lilting 'Cannery Row'.

Above it all, soars the voice of Kacy, a quintessential folk vocalist, poised somewhere between Sandy Denny and Emmylou Harris, and born to sing this kind of music. Listen to her majestic voice over the slow, brooding 'A Certain Kind Of Memory' or the poignant folk perfection of closing track 'Go And Leave Me', and see there is far more going on here than just two people ticking off their influences.

 

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