Here’s another British folk concept album dealing with the first world war, this one marking the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. And even after those excellent sets by Robb Johnson, Coope, Boyes and Simpson and Show of Hands, Harp and a Monkey are still worth checking out. The “electro-folk storytellers” from Lancashire match the easygoing vocals of Martin Purdy to a slick, shimmering backing provided by glockenspiel, harp, banjo, accordion and electronica. Their pleasantly relaxed, melodic approach contrasts with harrowing lyrics that reflect Purdy’s expertise on the conflict. There are stories about the problems of returning survivors, the emotional strains on postmen constantly delivering bad news, or the way Charlie Chaplin was targeted by the Daily Mail for not signing up. Archive recordings from the war years are carefully mixed in, in the style of a MacColl radio ballad.
