Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The description on the Bandcamp page of this Bristol-based singer/songwriter hardly had me leaping to play the seven-song 'Return'. "A raw, low-fi sound with some pretty weighty lyrics" suggested, to me at least, a badly recorded exercise in miserablism. I couldn't have been more wrong. Although the sound is very stripped down with only the occasional synth pad or accordion giving light and shade to Robin's deftly picked acoustic guitar, the sound is quite acceptable. And more important, even when a song deals with the old singer/songwriter standby of a departing girlfriend, like on "Hibernating", it is written with the sensitive touch of a wordsmith. But it's Robin's songs pondering Biblical revelation rather than lost romance which are his greatest forte. "Rising And Falling" dwells on what is still to happen in Israel while the doomy, atmospheric, electro folk "Houses And Vineyards" rewards repeated listening. Equally enjoyable is the folk club-style singalong "Here On Earth" ("They say fire burns hotter in Hell") and the closer "Not Peace, But A Sword" is as thought provoking a song as I've heard for many a day ("I have come to change the rules and put them in reverse/Your leaders shall be servants and the last shall be first"). Thoroughly recommended and available through a "name your own price" scheme this should be snapped up by all those who want folk with serious content.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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