Guillotine Spring: Eclosion

Rising from the ashes of psych/folk outfit Galley Beggar come Guillotine Spring, the husband and wife duo of Mat Fowler and Maria O’Donnell also staying together musically as they team up with Donald Smith (bass) and Kirsteen Bristow (drums) to deliver their debut album, Eclosion.

Still residing in the psych/folk realms that you may expect, things aren’t quite as straight forward this time round, a slightly more sinister edge brought into proceedings where patience and slow song building is key right across this album. Almost all of the 10 tracks on show crawl, or at best meander along with at first what seems like little intent. However, as “Lolita� seems determined not to build up a head of steam, so it does actually start to roll along with a sense of restrained force. Personally, the plaintive but still forceful vocals from O’Donnell don’t really get my juices flowing but there’s no denying that she fits these floating but fixed sounds perfectly. Almost a ghostly, lament, “Whispers� has a spiritual feel about it before it starts into another slow march of sprinkling beats and heartfelt vocals, while “Wednesday’s Child� possesses the slow focus of Black Sabbath at their most floating edge.

I have to be honest and say that in terms of style, Eclosion isn’t the type of thing I would naturally gravitate towards, so while I’ve enjoyed this album, there is something of a mental block for me as I engage it. Those more steeped in this dark, flowing psych/folk sound will doubtless find much to enjoy.

Track Listing
1. Eclosion
2. Black Flowers
3. Wednesday’s Child
4. Lolita
5. In Your Garden
6. Whispers
7. Forest Of Eden
8. Juliet
9. Black is The Colour
10. Lavender Blue

Added: May 24th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Guillotine Spring @ bandcamp
Hits: 224
Language: english

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