February 1st seems the most appropriate time of the year to release a new Mandolin Orange studio album, with its melancholic overtones, and cold wintry introspection.
Tides of a Teardrop is the duo’s 6th album of poignant, delicately beautiful releases, and treads the same route as the previous five, albeit with a more fleshed out sound. Whilst Mandolin Orange are a duo comprising of songwriter/vocalist Andrew Marlin, and multi instrumentalist Emily Frantz, for this release they were joined by their touring band to add extra layers and dynamics.
Mandolin, picked acoustic guitar and pedal steel are the backbone of their sound, but mournful electric guitar, brushed and strings drums add depth and musicality to tracks such as The Wolves and Lonely All The Time.
Emily Frantz is usually kept for background vocals, but on the beautiful Into The Sun, she steps up to provide lead vocals to gorgeous effect.
The violin led closing track Time We Made Time closes this delicate and beautiful album, and may I suggest we all make some time for the country folk intimacy of Mandolin Orange.
Keith
9/11
