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Musk Ox comes advertised as “neofolk.” This throws me, as my admittedly limited understanding of the term runs to Current 93 and menacing stuff on Cold Spring Records. But Wikipedia includes Agalloch under “neofolk,” and Musk Ox recalls that band’s acoustic side. So, terminology aside, campfire singalongs aren’t at issue. Instead, pristinely picked acoustic guitars (think Nick Drake) meander through settings of piano, cello, wind instruments, and nature sounds (e.g., chirping crickets). Vocal ooh’s and aah’s float in at times. Normally, music this tonally static — it mines bog-standard major and minor scales — does not interest me. But this record is undeniably soothing. I have found myself returning to it often. One cannot subsist solely on blastbeats and blasphemy. Sometimes one should hear acoustic instruments played deliberately and melodiously.
I love this album. Not much to it, but it sneaks up on you and becomes quite a powerful listening experience. And it's a rare album that evokes the Canadian landscape without coming across as tacky. Can't recommmend it highly enough.
Been meaning to get this for months. Your comparison to two of my other favorite musical artists just sold me. Thanks, Cosmo.
Asa
Really promising for a first effort. Check out the Norwegian band "V
Wow, that V