US project OLD FIRE is the creative vehicle of composer and musician John Mark Lapham, a venture instigated back in 2006 and steadily worked on by him and a minor myriad of contributors for a good number of years. The end result was issued as the CD “Songs From the Haunted South”, released through UK label Kscope in the early summer of 2016.

This is one of those albums that will have as many descriptions as far as details styles and genres goes as there are reviewers and listeners out there I’d imagine. Not because the music is overly complex as such, but more due to how different people will experience and describe the compositions in somewhat different manners, much depending on what kind of music they are familiar with. And as with many other albums, I kind of suspect that by and large this is a production more about moods, atmospheres and emotions as it is about a specific style or other.

But there is something of a southern presence throughout this album, that is a given. Certain details here and there that makes the phrase Americana a natural one to use on this occasion, be it the almost naive lead vocals present here and there, the delicate plucked guitars, the occasional use of mournful violin details or the lap steel that provides us with gliding textures here and there.

But other aspects of this album does make it something else than a delicate, fragile example of modern Americana though. The use of textured instrument details on a fairly consistent basis, with a few classic post-rock style swirling, angelic guitar motifs used to good effect as one such detail. Cold, haunting keyboard motifs in ebb and flow patterns or surging presences another dimension that removes this creation from the heartland of Americana, and much the same can be said about ethereal voice effects, various instances of electronic flavoring and the general perception of the moods and atmospheres explored that indeed have some haunting qualities to them more often than not. A few psychedelic details kind of emphasize that aspect as well, which in sum gives this album something of a subtle otherworldly presence.

While a certain affection for both ambient music, Americana and perhaps even post rock will be needed to enjoy this CD, a certain fascination for a specific type of mood and atmosphere will be just as vital, if not even more so. I’d suggest that those who find the soundtrack to old TV series “Twin Peaks” to be fascinating might enjoy this album as well, but in terms of the overall scope of the atmospheres explored this doesn’t quite fit in as such. In my view, those who found the general mood of a movie such as “The Green Mile” to be intriguing might be something of a key audience for this specific CD. It is probably a bit odd to recommend an album to those who enjoy a specific movie, but then this is something of an odd album as well. In a good way, I might add.

My rating: 77/100

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/oldfiresongs
https://old-fire.com/