Cork based White-Line Fever has hit the nail on the head with their offering in to the progressive folk/folk genre. Formed in 2014 by brothers Abbas and Ali Bracken with the aspiration to make thought-provoking and experimental music, their influences are evident throughout.
Both band and EP name naturally raise questions and eyebrows – instantly summoning thoughts of monotony, instability, lack of purpose or ‘simply the concept of monotony and tedium of life‘ as drummer Evan Prendergast puts it. Interesting, so what’s it like?
From the onset, ‘Sirens in the Distance’ immediately lulls you in with laid back vocals, soft percussion and acoustics, before blending in electric guitars and heavier percussion – it works quite well here as the vocals remain laid back throughout which keeps the pace of the song somewhere between Midlake and Pink Floyd. The song finishes with an encore of reverb, synth, birds, traffic and echo – a choice I wasn’t expecting at the end, but the more I listened to it, the more it worked. It will be interesting to see this played live.
The second song ‘I see Icy Figures’ is the better of the two-track EP. It introduces us even more to what these guys are capable of doing – pleasing the ear with understated vocals and simple guitar riffs. At times it will remind you of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Albatros’. Have a listen and you’ll know what I mean. Interestingly, the song works really well acoustically, allowing for more dynamic, stripped back folk sound.
Video from Virtually Acoustic
The production value of recording in Claycastle Recording Studios, alongside producer John Burke is evident, and shows that these guys are serious about continuing with their experimental, progressive folk. I hope they do and am looking forward to hearing more tracks in the near future.
Sounds like: Pink Floyd, Midlake, Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac
Winning track: I see Icy Figures
Find them: Reverbnation, Facebook, Soundcloud
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