Hanterhir

A double CD of music from a project based entirely in Cornwall and sung half in English and half in Cornish. They bring so many different influences and elements to their music that you might think that the result might be a cacophony of disastrous proportions but no, the end result is an album that draws you in, knocks your expectations aside and makes your life just a little bit more complex and a whole lot better,
Suffice to say that this album has taken residence in my psych and isn’t letting go easily.

The primary musicians are: Jason (drums & percussion), Ben (Guitar, vocals & keyboards), Peasy (guitar & vocals), Grant (bass & vocals), Mike (saxophone, keyboards & vocals) and Lou (flute & vocals) but they were filled out by dozens of other musicians, friends and the like and the whole recording process took in such locations as a Methodist chapel, a llama farm, a cricket club and even a conventional studio in Redruth.

So, what the hell is it?
At the very heart of the music is a huge drone with all the musical action circling and spinning away from the core. The music takes in indie rock, hip-hop, folk, balladry, psych and even some poetry but it all serves to tell the song of a young lad – Cadan – who tries to drown himself but is saved by a wicked witch of the lake. The magic and other-worldliness of Cornwall is brilliantly portrayed and the howls of saxophones and heavy riffery of the guitars brings the dynamic up and down. The vocals almost act as a wind sound – much of the album feels like being out on a blasted heath, fighting against the elements. At other times the album shimmers with rare beauty and you begin to feel a warm glow.

It is about as far away from convention as you can get but I found it easy to approach and to understand. A magical ride