The first time I heard Terrible Sons, I was struck by how much of an older style it captures. There’s a reflective, mid-20th century folk style to it. Unique artful folk instrumentation helps the sound stand out in a crowded folk scene currently. It’s a mature, developed folk style for discerning tastes.
“Birdsong” feels like it could have come from the pen of Joni Mitchell or Carol King. The reflective lyrics work well with the contemplative vocal delivery. The unhurried chamber folk instrumentation provides a wonderful backdrop for the song.
“Sunset swimming” has more of a pop rock flavor than the opener. It moves along with the electric guitar taking a major forward movement. The folksy vocal harmonies are the calling card for this one. The following “Easy Love” might be my favorite on the album. It has a beautiful folk harmony. The vocals on this track are a case of two being stronger than one, creating a style that almost begs for listeners to sing along. If you’ve ever been in a relationship, you’ll know that “love” takes work. It is a verb that requires attention and action.
“Asperatus” has a sophisticated style to it, both in instrumentation and lyrics. The artful chamber folk style really comes through on this one. If you’re wondering what the word means, it’s actually a massive cloud (there, I saved you from searching it yourself).
“You Can Choose” features a lively piano and a unique rhythm structure. I’m not sure if it’s jazzy or just poppy, but the energy stands out on the album for sure. “Yelling in the Wilderness” slows things back down for more in the chamber folk vein. There’s a unique electronic element to the percussion on this one that sets it apart from others on the album.
“Hold Your Light High” has a spirited piano as well. There’s an aspect of the song that feels informed by soul music. The “hope in the morning” lyric is about optimism and approaching life with a good attitude. It’s meant as an encouragement for listeners.
For the sake of keeping the review concise, I’ll skip to the last track on the album. “Young Blossom” is an artful seven minute track with plenty of strings and meditative elements. The song feels like an orchestral folk piece meant to give the listener time and space to ponder and feel. The vocal harmonies feel as if they were born out of conflict and move consistently toward the listeners’ desire for resolution. It’s like listening to older classical music even including elements of Gregorian Chant styling. It is a truly remarkable sound the way it brings together this disparate influences for an artistic and engaging final product.
All told, this album has something special for a wide range of listeners. I would say that fans of chamber folk will enjoy the album the most. There was great care taken in producing the album with and eclectic musical palate and some wonderfully engaging elements for different audiences. To follow the band, here is their Facebook page where you can find regular updates.
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