Joyce The Librarian - They May Put Land Between Us

Mit etwas Verzögerung wird "They May Put Land Between Us" dieser Tage - genauer gesagt: am 11. April - auch in Deutschland veröffentlicht werden. Joyce The Librarian, eine Folkband aus Bristol, hatte zunächst im Januar 2012 mit "The Weight of the Line" in Eigenregie eine EP herausgebracht. Es folgten im Oktober mit "Follow Me, I'm Right Behind You"(Video siehe unten) eine Single und im November das dazu gehörige Album "They May Put Land Between Us". 

Der Singer/Songwriter Martin Callingham steht der Band vor, zu der auch noch Houdie (Orgel, Gesang), Tom (Gitarre, Gesang) und Anna (Cello) zählen. Der schlichte, verträumte Folkpop von Joyce The Librarian wird immer dann besonders interessant, wenn er üppiger arrangiert ist und Cello, Trompete, Orgel, Piano, Flügelhorn und weiblicher Gesang hinzu kommen. Anspieltipps sind daher "Traps", "Land" und "Dolly Parton". 

"They May Put Land Between Us" ist Freunden von Sufjan Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel und Belle & Sebastian zu empfehlen. Mit 10 Titeln in 28 Minuten ist das Album leider ein wenig kurz geraten, so dass die 3 zusätzlichen Titel der ersten EP hier nicht fehl am Platze gewesen wären.

They May Put Land Between Us is the perfect accompaniment to autumn, intricate but slow finger-picking and wandering piano fit so well with the brash range of colours on the wilted trees remaining leaves, and warm you up from the inside with a combination of charming folk and poignant optimism.

Almost title track 'Land' (they mention putting "land between us" several times), is a delectable mixture of cello, organ and finger-picked guitar. The instrumentals fit so well together it recalls to mind the high points of Neutral Milk Hotel or Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly. The near-whispered vocals of the track suit the feeling of hopeful optimism absolutely, as if speaking up too loudly would prevent reality from sinking in.

Songs like 'Communion' capture the group's deftness with a tune, allowing it to grow into itself through carefully layered harmonies. This intelligent approach runs through the album and lends it a more cinematic appeal, each song sounds ideal for the soundtrack to a dark, but moving film that has yet to be made, instilled with a hope all to devoid in the pessimism of other modern folk acts.
(altsounds)

In the opening track, ‘Traps,’ Martin Callingham’s lullaby vocals immediately draw you in, almost like a trance with such simplicity, the vocals paired with modest percussion and guitar make it an understated, yet confident start to the album.

Their sound is embodied in ‘Follow Me, I’m Right Behind you,’ their first single release but Joyce the librarian are more than just soft, hushed vocals, and raw acoustic guitar. The addition of the organ, trumpet and cello throughout the album, and even a flugelhorn as the pace quickens in ‘Land,’ a bolder, fuller bodied treat, they have managed to add substance to the delicacy.

The album as a whole definitely keeps you intrigued and finely balances between Popular music and Folk, which makes it that more engaging. Wanting a little bit more from each song, its serene and quiet and made to enjoy on a lazy Sunday afternoon but little quirks like ‘Land’ and ‘Maurice Ward,’ keep the listener from drifting off into the land of daydream.
(folk radio uk)

Martin Callingham kommt für einige Termine nach Deutschland:

07.04.14 An einem Sonntag im August, Berlin
08.04.14 Mein haus am See, Berlin
09.04.14 MS Treue, Bremen
10.04.14 Onassis Restaurant, Scheessel
11.04.14 Heimathirsch, Köln
12.04.14 Sofa Loft, Hannover
13.04.14 Tanztraum, Oldenburg
14.04.14 Cafe Grusewsky, Emden
15.14.14 Kulturcafe Lichtung, Köln
16.04.14 Cafe Einstein, Lippstadt
17.04.14 Bus Huchting, Bremen