A debut album drawing influences from many styles to make a unique blend of Americana.
The press for their debut album tells us that “the members of Fabletown come from diverse musical backgrounds, bringing together a collective of talents that includes guitars, piano and keys, fiddle, melodica, bass, drums, percussion, and soulful three-part harmonies. This blend creates a lush sound that echoes a transatlantic landscape of both America, Scotland and Scandinavia whilst reflecting themes of love, loss, adventure, and resilience.”
If all that sounds like a recipe for slightly unfocused music, you couldn’t be further from the truth. ‘Cherokee Rose’ has dynamic country swing, with a guitar break that has a definite African feel to it. The harmony vocals of Alison Lyles and Karen Stanford and the closing piano lend this a 70s ambience which may or may not be intentional. That continues with ‘Dreams Beneath Your Feet’ a funky blues tune which barrels along on insistent drums and piano. The only sour note (and then only really on headphones) is the intrusive chorus vocal in the right channel). The guitar solo wipes that out though and this is one that I’m sure gets their live crowds up and dancing.
‘State Highway One’ celebrates the journey along New Zealand’s longest road, capturing the spirit of adventure and the stunning landscapes that unfold along the way. Lyles adds Melodica to this song. This includes what must be the first in-person (as opposed to sampled) handclaps I’ve heard in a long time. A proper sunny summer song. Songwriting, by singer Alison Lyles, draws influences from around the world. Ballad ‘Blizzards of Rust’ captures the struggles of families in the Mid-West Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and their “journey as they abandon their parched homes in search of hope.” ‘Path of Souls’ “depicts the Native American journey of the spirit, as souls “traverse from Earth to the sky world through the Milky Way’s great rift, guided by the constellations toward eternal peace and connection with the cosmos.” This is the most musically ambitious song here, with heavily fuzzed guitar over a complex piano line and drums reminiscent of a Native American sound.
‘Madeline’ starts as a 12-bar blues track sung by Hein Kok, which leads straight into an intricate piano solo. Another excellent guitar solo adds a spikey touch to a tale of heartbreak. ‘100 Miles from You’ again led by Hein Kok’s vocal, and with more of William Ancell’s fine electric guitar playing featured prominently sets up a gentle groove with another very mid-70s atmosphere. Using the Melodica, where there may have been Hammond Organ in Eric Clapton’s band of about 1974, brings a welcome unexpected sound into the song. While this may be the band’s debut the members are all clearly experienced players. Arttu Salonen’s piano has already been mentioned and the rhythm section, Robert Reaoch on bass and drummer Murray McLaughlin anchor the songs very nicely.
Alison Lyles shared their ambition for the album. “We wanted to create something that feels timeless yet speaks to the present moment. Each song is a story, a snapshot of life’s highs and lows, and we hope listeners find a piece of their own journey in these tracks.” They have managed to create music that doesn’t bend to any particular fashion but draws in elements of the best of country, soft pop/rock, and folk as needed to serve the songs. A more than passable first album, with a pleasantly organic, live feel. Hopefully, they’ll be touring the album as on this showing they will be well worth seeing.
