Scottish folk band Seán R. McLaughlin & The Wind-up Crows first featured on this blog in March this year when we ran the rule over their single Wishing Well and EP Ninewells.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Graham Ogston
From the opening folksy instrumental Unburnt Viola, we know we’re in for something special with Seán and his band’s debut album Goodnight, Lad. Its rawness is inviting, and quickly envelops you in a timeless glow that melts seamlessly into Wishing Well, a catchy and memorable rock number that proves an early highlight.
The rural imagery of the track runs right through the album, inspired by Seán’s childhood home on the tiny island of Bressay in the Shetland Islands. We get lyrics dealing with grief, short stories of remote village life, and plenty of nautical imagery.
From the toe-tapping Ninewells to the brooding The Lightning Tree we get compelling eloquence and a fresh take on modern folk. Seán’s charismatic vocals hold the attention while his Wind-up Crows play with spirit. Highlights include the melancholically rousing Run Aground, the delicate and poetic Cleaned and the fiery atmospheric The Wind-Up Crow.
I listen to a lot of music for this blog and I love it all. Ever so often, though, something that comes along that completely blows me away. This debut is one of those. Seán and his band have pulled together something a cut above, bringing together the familiar sound of folk with distinct storytelling. It’s in the running for album of the year for me.
Goodnight, Lad was primarily recorded in Seán’s home studio and was co-produced and mixed by Frightened Rabbit’s Andy Monaghan, and Jeremy Backofen. Featuring on the record is Ragini Shankar, Lewis McLaughlin, Joe Montague, Vicky Gray, Alex Johnson, J.J. Jamieson, among others.
The album is out now via Stitch Records. You can buy it as a digital download, on vinyl, or on CD via Bandcamp, and can check it out below.