WHALEBONE
Runes
Two Wild Women

www.whalebone-music.com
 

This is the fourth album for the instrumental trio from Shropshire, England. Two guitars and fiddle, and a few other instruments they play (mandolin, etc.) tossed in for good measure on a disc that’s made up of originals and rock covers. They can play, that’s not in question, and their writing skills are pretty hot at times, as with the beauty of “Christchurch Cathedral.” There’s deft interplay between the instruments at times. The real question comes over the covers. Does the world really need another version of “Layla,” especially without the words? Or “Paint It Black” and Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” although the rich arrangement there – at times everything including the kitchen sink, it seems – does capture the horribly overblown piece of rock. So it’s not folk, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s solid, well-performed instrumentals that go beyond pop and rock. Their ethos might be to knock down some barriers, but next time out a full disc of originals, which arrive without baggage, would be very welcome.

— Chris Nickson