In the shadow of the city’s famous castle, Edinburgh lo-fi folksters Eagleowl have been taking it steady since 2005. Their latest offering the Into the Fold EP, which was meticulously planned and rehearsed around mealtimes, shows that sometimes slow and steady does in fact win the race.
Beginning life as a duo, with Bartholomew Owl guitars/vocals plus Malcolm Benzie violin/mandolin/ukulele/melodica, Eagleowl gradually expanded to include double-bass player Clarissa Cheong and the harmonium styling’s of Rob St John. Their previous EP Sleep the Winter gained the band some noticeable recognition in their home country, but Into the Fold sees the Scottish quartet slowly perfecting the art of the understatement.
Title track Into the Fold is a blissfully, spaced out piece of alt-folk with a gorgeous and intentionally at times out of tune harmonica running up and down its spine. Eagleowl cite Low as a massive influence and this track is one that Alan Sparhawk would be proud to call his own. Things take a very quirky turn with the following tune Morpheus which may easily make its way onto some deranged kids television show, if only there were such a thing. Normality is somewhat restored however, with the hauntingly, sombre ode to Neil Young that is Eat Hats, showcasing some very fine guitar work by Mr Owl. Proceedings come to a close with the sprawling nine minute odyssey No Conjunction which fades out with ‘Don’t look back when you get there hypnotically chanted over and over’, is quite a fitting way to bring it all to a close.
Into the Fold is definitely worth checking out for fans of Low, Galaxie 500,The Dirty Three and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy or for anyone who might want to hear the soundtrack to the saddest, most beautiful art-house film you’ve never seen as some of the press in Scotland have described Eagleowls latest work. When we may get to hear the bands full length debut is anybody’s guess as these Scots believe in doing things right, rather than doing things fast.
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