Adrian Crowley - Long Distance Swimmer

Adrian Crowley is one of the veterans of the folk scene that has blossomed in the UK over the last 5-10 years. In fact, he and the Fence Collective - James Yorkston guests on this album - seem to be cornering the market in a marginal sub-genre for the marine obsessed. Aqua-folk, anybody? The majority of the album consists of beautifully warm pared-down numbers and it's one of the surest traps in the world to get lulled by his soporific voice, and lost in the tales he tells. A few tracks break the mould; These Icy Waters is almost reminiscent of Stereolab, and Harmony Row is another 'full band' number with a great piece of Calexico style mariachi horn. In the best way possible, this is more of the same, and you'd be a hard bastard not to find yourself whimsically imagining the ocean as you listen to this gorgeous record. [Matt Gollock]