You know that you are in for a serious listening experience when the press release references both mortality and Anglican priests and so it was for “Headwater” by Rev. Simpkins. Time, therefore, to be taken down to the river.
Rev Simpkins – a real Anglican priest – with music never far from his mind has been around a while and made several albums that have proved to be worthy whilst always remaining resolutely on the edge of the commercial world. “Headwater” drifts off in the general direction of the eclectic side of modern day alt-folk but does so with an almost obtuse obscurity of intent. It would seem, on first acquaintance and given the doom alluded to in the press release, that these eleven songs are some sort of catharsis created on the journey to recovery, and they might well be, even if the songs more often seem woven into a tapestry that stitches deeper meaning into a picture of intellectualised equanimity.
Whilst synthesisers and soundbites are often used as the disembodied voice of the Krell, there is still enough in the way of organic components to keep Rev. Simpkins on the human side of redemption street. “Headwater” is, unsurprisingly, not an album contrived for commercial gain yet it has a certain appeal in a world where spiritual considerations seem destined to become obsolete.
The album is available from Bandcamp and the usual digital places.