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ALBUM REVIEW
- Splinterskin - Wayward Souls
- Cold Spring
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- Splinterskin is a project that could
just about define ‘weird and wonderful’ as a musical genre; a solo project
which is, as its creator points out, equal parts song and storytelling, it broods in
autumnal woods, dipping into the spirit world and bringing back secrets, wisdom and
warnings through the medium of intimate folksong. “Wayward Souls” is a
remarkable debut, mixing the ethereal with the earthy with such a delicate touch that
you’ll be hard-pressed to stop the hairs on the back of your neck from tingling.
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- Key to the untamed, elemental charm
of Splinterskin’s sound are the enchanting, flowing, naturalistic patterns played out
on acoustic guitar, which are secretive and warm all at once. A classical, finger-picking
style predominates, but full strumming and some more progressive movements easily
intertwine, accented by sparingly-used violins and hand-drums, along with sampled sounds
from the wilderness, for a more eerie, ritual feel. Stalking gruffly yet gently between
these layers are the deep, breathy male vocals, which summon images of “The Thing
that Wasn’t” – beings which lurk at the edge of our own dimension.
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- The whole album is a treasure, with
each track setting out with a new creative urge and narrative earnestness, but some stand
out – “Something in the Walls” is enchanting with its sweeps and trickles
of guitar and sliding vocals exploring possession and the crossing of the veil, “The
Thing that Wasn’t” is a glorious evocation of a deep forest, with its warm
violin line sticking in the mind, whilst “Still at the Window Sill” is sadder,
yet mournfully calm. “The Eyes that Hide” has fascinatingly uncanny lyrics, but
it’s the title track that’s the pinnacle of the album, showcasing the very best
of all of Splinterskin’s guitar techniques, and making sure the listener cannot
depart from the world of “Wayward Souls” untouched by a good measure of
awe.
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- These compositions remind me of the
gorgeously uncultivated sound of Arkansas musician Count Beetle – the musicianship
has a similar oneness with the elements, and a familiar creepy, breathy, spooky, evocative
approach, which takes its wide-eyed inspiration from the full moon over deep woods. That
Splinterskin has spun this sound out to easily captivate for the duration of a full-length
release is very impressive, the end result powerful, haunting yet weirdly reassuring.
Experimental folk at its very finest – highly recommended.
- 92/100
- Ellen Simpson
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- www.myspace.com/splinterskin
- www.splinterskin.com
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