Review

Before I listened again to COURAGE OF OTHERS, I listened again to THE TRIALS OF VAN OCCUPANTHER, the band’s breakthough album from 2006 (hell, it seems like yesterday, not four years ago). My reason for doing this, which is rare for me, was because after listening to the new album several times I wasn’t sure about it; to me it sounded and felt like a regressive step. OCCUPANTHER clearly showed its historic influences (especially in the most popular songs), but it was also blessed with superb melodies and sensitive performances. I was lucky enough to witness a live performance of the album (before most of the music media latched onto the record) and my admiration for the band and the record was further enhanced. What else did I like about OCCUPANTHER? Well, there was a diversity of sound (through emphasis placed on different instruments on so many of the songs) through the record and there are other songs (besides the killer tunes ‘Roscoe’ and ’Bandits’) like the utterly beautful ‘Branches’, wistful ‘In This Camp’ and gently flowing ‘Chasing After Deer.’ In fact, it is a gorgeous record, from track 1 to track 11; the record distinguished this band from the growing crowd.

Then I listened to COURAGE and sensed much improved production values - far better separation of voices and instruments, and far greater vocal clarity. Opener, ‘Acts Of Man’ is an excellent example of this, but I also heard enhanced conviction and authority in the song writing and performances. It took four plays of this song for it to register with me; the melody is strong, albeit more subtle, and there is a sense of time, place and purpose which combined with sensitive vocal and instrumental performances, create the most moving musical experience. ‘Winter Dies’ exemplifies the band’s move to a more traditional folk-based sound, and especially when the vocal stops to provide dedicated space for the instrumental passages (which are excellent, and effectively instrumentally based choruses). And it took several listens to identify yet another powerful melody.

‘Small Mountain’ is another beauty where Tim Smith compares ’the rise and the fall of small mountains’ to life experiences and aspirations. This is such a well-constructed song with drums providing both rhythm and darkness, while the other instruments provide ‘the hope.’ ‘Core Of Nature’ opens, as most of the songs here, with an instrumental introduction before Smith’s sincere and expressive voice rises and falls to dominate the track.  ’Fortune’ has a homespun ambience with lovely acoustic guitar backdrop, before the Mash movie style introduction to ‘Rulers Ruling All Things’, an epic song about controlling one’s own destiny; finding one’s own place on earth.  ’Children Of The Grounds’ goes upbeat and with it a more assertive sound, both vocally and instrumentally.

‘Bring Down’ has spectacular opening instrumental salvo and is the standout track of the album. Stephanie Dosen adds her superb voice to this very special, melancholy song that moves me like very few songs have. ‘The Horn’ almost duplicates the dose with its monotone vibe. It’s another standout.  ’The Courage Of Others’ - “I will never have the courage of others/I will not approach you at all/I always start to worry about things/more the things you can’t control” - wonderful lyrics to a wonderful song, and one that connects big-time.

The above background provides an accurate insight of the how and why of this record. It is vastly different from the band’s second album in that there’s no instant gratification, no radio-ready songs to provide a strong sales launchpad. Rather, it’s a band looking for, and finding, solid and sustainable musical ground which sales alone cannot provide. So, yes, there’s an element of courage displayed here, but it’s built on sincerity, belief and inate talent. My feeling is that this record will actually exceed the sales of the last, because it will appeal to a whole new folk market, in addition to those who bought the last album. And for those that yearn for more of the same, there’s always the live performances to come which will no doubt include a couple of past glories (which will never die).

4/5