There is a distinct amicability in the tone of Mark Mandeville’s voice. It’s honest and pure in its way. When he first sings out in the title track off the duo’s latest record “when I see you on the stage it makes me tremble”, you believe and are curious who that performer up on the stage is. It draws you in and engages you in the songwriter’s story. The slow prodding pick of the guitar last a track for the story to clack down, taking its time to lay out, never running off and allowing you to hop aboard and listen on it.
and time is the sand between your fingers (grain by grain)
as timeless as that old cliche
and the hands go around and the train is bound
to roll where the tracks do lay
The addition of upright and pedal steel to the majority of the new record was a brilliant choice. It added a certain depth to the music that is deep and draws you down into its core. But the stand out is the woodwind…man oh man. Raianne Richards’ clarinet parts on the single are beautiful and mysterious, drawing comparisons to work by the Low Anthem in a way. Just enough, the icing on the top that really creates a mood and emits a certain vibe in the music. Something unique and beautiful.
The band’s latest, Grain by Grain, is officially just a few days ago. You can head on over to their website for more info and to order the record for yourself…or hit the band camp below.