Faeland - 2017 - All My Swim

(51:54; Green Sage Records)

Track list:
1. Too Much 5:05
2. We're Just a Love Song 5:04
3. Prayer Song 3:31
4. All My Swim 5:18
5. Chantress 5:10
6. The Wheel 4:28
7. Strings 4:25
8. Silent Story 4:25
9. Train 4:59
10. To the Green (Live) 4:46
11. Find Me 4:43

Line-up:
Rebecca Nelson - vocals, guitars
Jacob Morrison - guitars, ukulele, banjo, vocals
with:
Lizzie Tucker - bass, vocals
Martin Solomon - violin, Harp, accordion, mandolin
Rowan Sterk - drums, percussion
Matthew Heyse-Moore - clarinet
Michael Stanton - Rhodes piano, Hammond organ, santoor
Sarah Moody - cello
Emma Trevena - vocals
Holly Marjoram - vocals
Lydia Medland - vocals
Joan Ward - vocals
Jessica Langton - vocals


UK band Faeland have been around in one form or another at least since 2010. As they opened their Facebook page in May 2010 that will likely be in the earlier stages of the band's history. They have two studio albums to their name as of 2022. "All My Swim" from 2017 is the first of these productions, and was released through Green Sage Records, which I presume is the band's own label.

The music explored on this production has it's foundation placed in the singer/songwriter tradition more than anything else from what I can hear, and in this case with songs that by and large strikes me as material very well suited for a vocals and acoustic guitar only live performance if that is required. The majority of the songs have obviously been expanded a bit from the core foundation on this album, and this has been done in an elegant and contemporary manner.

The band name Faeland will for many indicate that folk music should be present in some form or other, and that is the case here too. Often with more of a roots music feel than traditional folk music to my ears though, and with something of a pop music sensibility present fairly often as well. We do get occasional instrument and vocal melody references also to older folk music traditions, as well as some nifty world music elements too, but just as important for me at least are the details that by plan or accident adds elements from jazz and classical music to the proceedings here. Bass, rhythm and occasional guitar elements for the former, the harp, reeds and occasionally string instrument details for the latter.  None of these elements are present in any overt manner though, but more as subtle reference points and undercurrents. With a good chance that these are accidental features all around of course, notes and rhythms appropriate to an arrangement used without a conscious thought about references or possible origins because the elements just fit.

To my ears this is a fairly accomplished debut album, with quite a few solid songs as well as a case or two of the band managing to conjure up some fine, magical moods and atmospheres - with the concluding cut 'Find Me' as the one I found most striking. A band and an album worth taking a listen to for those with an interest in a more contemporary variety of folk music and singer/songwriter style material.

Olav M. Björnsen, January 2022

Links:
https://faeland.co.uk/