Recent trends have seen many a retro-folk act exhaust a contrived and deliberate sound. These acts are largely homogenous and easy to find out. So, it was rather pleasing to hear the latest release from Brooklyn-based quartet The Wiyos. "Broken Land Bell" is a genuine labour of love for old-time music which refuses to pretend to be a rehashed 1930s jug band offering.
This, the first Wiyos release to contain nothing but self-penned tracks, is a solid lesson on how to evade the confines of common throwback acts. For as much as The Wiyos collectively succeed in bringing a great energy from traditional roots music, they also allow a little pop sensibility to seep into their music. This show of incredible ingenuity - as first evidenced on "Stomp" - goes some way to explain the album's probable longevity.
With just four members, it's hard not to be impressed by the plethora of instruments - resonator, harmonica, kazoo, washboard to name a few - to be heard throughout the album. While an upbeat affair on the whole, the mood becomes positively menacing on "Don't Spill The Sugar" that benefits from some unexpected beat-boxing.
"Redbird" places further emphasis on the band's ability to harmonise with folksy precision while "Uncork The Whiskey" could have been found down the back of Merle Haggard's couch.
Though some may wish to smell their armpits in order to verify their sincerity, I think I'll take this fine album as evidence enough of the greatness of The Wiyos. Take this journey.
Available from CD Baby.