The first part of a planned double album, “The Island-Part One” is a folk tour de force to say the least. Described not unfairly whatsoever as a Simon & Garfunkel esque project, this record is a simply magnetic if lustrously textured piece of modern folk music. There’s a deftness throughout, a subtlety in the arrangement that has you transfixed and intrigued throughout. “You’ll be there to pick me up at Seven In The Morning”, such a simple yet such a powerful line given the larger meaning behind it. There’s an emotional core to the record that never seems to wane as it progresses. The vocal harmonies are a core highlight, perhaps the singular most striking aspect that causes comparisons to be drawn to the forefathers of the genre.
The songs are continually gripping, weaving together narratives that have you compelled and your attention hooked, With imagination behind each arrangement, there’s never a dull moment on this record. My personal favourite record comes on track four, the poignancy of “Marigold” being such a refreshing and touching piece.
Anyone who has even passing interest in folk music is bound to find themselves absolutely in love with this record. There’s so much dynamism to each track, such a spirited expression of folk sounds in such an effortlessly eclectic fashion. But, it’s in the emotional core that Birds are better thrive on. You can’t deny the sheer musical prowess that they possess, but you also would be a stone-hearted stoic to not find yourself moved by pieces like the titular track or the opener.
A shattering experience, “The Island” is one of the finest folk records I’ve come across all year.