In early April, I profiled Admiral Fallow in the 8th edition of our New Sounds of Scotland series. I am writing about them again because their very good album, Boots Met My Face, which was released in the UK in 2010, was released in the United States and worldwide on June 28. The wonderfully titled album was produced by one of the best producers in the game in the UK, Paul Savage of Chem19 (formerly drummer of The Delgados).
The music is orchestral folk rock, and to my ears, it is superior to similar albums that received more press such as the 2010 release from the Mumford gang. The "ear worms" in the tracks never seem contrived, and the vocals are strong and heartfelt. The album balances nicely between slower tempo songs and stompers. But it also extends beyond the folk rock idiom to travel in territory in which you find Arcade Fire or Fanfarlo. The result is a very satisfying album that begs to be replayed because of its varied gifts. However, you don't have to guess at whether I'm correct in my assessment (or the assessment of the reviewer for the BBC who called it "the best album of folk-goes-indie-with-a-Scottish-accent since The Great Eastern" -- you can stream the album below to evaluate it. "Squealing Pigs", "Subbuteo", "These Barren Years", "Taste the Coast" and "Four Bulbs" are among the highlight tracks.
The band is fronted by singer-songwriter Louis Abbott and also includes Kevin Brolly, Phillip Hague, Sarah Hayes, and Joseph Rattray. Instrumentation includes guitars, piano, clarinet, flute, and upright bass. The band formerly were known as the Brother Louis Collective, but acquired their new name last year.
If you don't have time to stream the album, enjoy a couple of tracks.
"Squealing Pigs"
"Subbuteo"
Boots Met My Face is a self release. In addition to record stores (remember them?), the album is available from Amazon or the Lo-Five site linked below.
Lo-Five site
Myspace
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