More English muslin than upland cotton.
The Straylings are Dana Zeera and Oliver Drake. “Call Back Your Name” is their third album, released last December, the title track being a single from four years ago. They say the time in between was spent, stepping back from the scene, working on other projects and retreating into the (English) countryside. A retreat with a studio. The payoff is this Psych-Folk-Rock record written, produced and mixed by Zeera and Drake.
Opening track ‘Silent Moon’ reflects most of the album’s content. Described as being, “Dana’s folk musings galvanised by Oli’s hypnotic instrumental passages”, there’s an intriguing reference to 1965. It could be a young Debbie Harry singing ‘American Kid’ or ‘Great Divide’, while the music continues with reverb soaked guitars, drums and synths. ‘Sorrow for Gold’ definitely has that intended Fairport Convention (“Liege & Lief”) late sixties feel. ‘Breathe Underwater’ has an orchestral start and more intriguing references to Hildegard and Silent Night. The standout track is ‘Who Bears’ with Zeera’s chosen voice, reminiscent of Latin Quarter’s Carol Douet, now accompanied by just piano and strings. It makes you want more of the same. Zeera sings the track beautifully and with great feeling. Some lines are totally appropriate to the here and now such as: “But who bears/ I know you’ll never cry/ Singing songs of peace/ To all the soldiers on both sides”
‘Shatter’ is the final shaman-like track that brings back the now familiar accompaniment. Zeera has a interesting, timeless voice. However her lyrics, although perfectly compatible to the desired sound, remain on most tracks inaccessible rather than ambiguous. Production duly promotes Zeera’s voice and Drake’s layered arrangements of guitars and synths, but to the detriment of some fine, yet muted, drumming by Levi Szendro. It’s a competently produced album nonetheless. It would be interesting to hear these tracks performed live.
