Debut album from New England trio with roots firmly in bluegrass.
“Icon” is the debut album by New England trio, Splendid Torch. A debut it may be, but this is by no means the first knockings of a newly formed band. Members Lily Sexton (lead vocals, fiddle, guitar), Sean Davis (acoustic and electric guitar vocals), and Josh Ballard (bass) were an integral part of Mamma’s Marmalade, a four-piece that had spent the best part of a decade building a loyal following in their native state. When founding member Mitch Bordage decided to step away from life on the road, the remaining trio found that the sessions originally intended for Mamma’s Marmalade were morphing into something a little different and ‘Icon’ was the result.
With its roots firmly in bluegrass, the album has a joyous, upbeat feel to proceedings. The opening title track clearly indicates the direction of travel. Sexton’s vocals are splendidly in tune with the feel of the music and, when given the opportunity to shine, as it does here with a minute long outro, it is clear that the musicians have a confidence and brio that comes from those years together on the road.
The album peaks with ‘Seven Houses’, a gentler pace and a more intimate vocal from Sexton features her beguiling fiddle with the notable mandolin of the aforementioned Bordage himself. Contributing also as arranger, clearly his decision to take a step away from his long-time musical friends wasn’t one of those splits that drip with acrimony.
The lead vocals are shared, with Davis taking the lead at times. Whilst the quality of the musicianship never drops, Davis’s vocals lack the same gravitas and feel that Sexton brings to the songs and, consequently, those tracks tend to be less memorable. That minor gripe aside, this is still an album with plenty to commend it and will resonate with those of a traditional/bluegrass bent.
