Faustus might be new to recording, but the trio themselves are hardly strangers to folk music, working with Bellowhead, Waterson: Carthy, and sundry others. Boasting melodeons, guitar, bouzouki, oboe, violin, and three strong voices, they bring a lot of power to the tradition (and a couple of self-composed tunes). For the most part, the songs step outside the usual traditional arrangements to find some unusual pieces (although "The New Deserter" is fairly well-known, and "Acre of Land" appears to bastardize a couple of other familiar pieces). The variety of instruments mean some interesting change-ups in the instrumental sets, with "Temperley Hornpipe" a standout (but why, oh why, are there so-called "bonus tracks" -- it's a CD!) It's as mature and accomplished a debut as you'd expect from such experienced players, complementing and supporting each other, and with enough vocal power to blow out speakers.
© Chris Nickson /TiVo