Christchurch’s “Fish Out of Water” are quite a unique band who are happy to buck the trend of modern artists and search through the archives of time to find original and traditional material to reinterpret. The five piece band follow in the footsteps of bands like Fairport Convention, Trees and The Strawbs. The band released their debut album “Carp Diem” to much positive press in 2016. The band look to follow this momentum with the release of a new 4 track EP called “Hare’s on a Mountain”. The band are currently on the label Talking Elephant Records and the EP was recorded locally by Red Square Analog at the Lighthouse in Christchurch, Dorset. The band have recently recruited the talented local singer/songwriter Lester J Allen, who brings a host of new skills and styles to the band.
The EP kicks off with the title track “Hare’s on a Mountain”, a traditional folk song which is given a modern makeover; while still keeping the original heart of this light-hearted love song. Vocalist Maria Green really impresses here with a faultless vocal performance, backed by some precision percussion and some well executed electric guitar from Ashley Gannicott. Next up is another variation of a traditional song “Jacky My Son”. A much slower tune that has a real progressive feel to it with some smouldering atmospheric guitar work and some lovely harmonies. There is a real depth here as the band tell this sad old English and rather gruesome tale.
“Lower the Crown” is an original composition written by the band’s vocalist Maria and takes the band into quite different territory. A tune that shows they aren’t just good at interpretation; they are also good at the original creation process, something we certainly should see more of. It shows a fine combination of vocal styles and some great lyrics with a Monarchy theme, with some disturbing cries of “Off with their heads”. For the EP’s final tune the band return to the traditional with “Cold Haily Windy Night”, where they once again show their considerable skills re-imagining and restyling a tune from the depths of Folk history. Here they mix traditional and electric instruments to make a really distinguished version of this tune.
Track Listing
Hare’s on a Mountain
Jacky My Son
Lower the Crown
Cold Haily Windy Night
Fish Out of Water are
Maria Green – Lead Vocals
Ashley Gannicott – Lead Guitar/Synths
Lester J Allen – Vocals/Guitar/Banjo/Piano/Synths
Ben Jenkins – Bass
Dan Johnston – Drums
Links
http://fishoutofwateruk.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FishOutOfWaterUK/
Words By David Chinery (Chinners)
