BEARS WITH GUNS – ONLY THE QUICK AND THE HUNGRY

Is this album folk fusion? It has Afro beats, Spanish guitar playing, pop style and strong songwriting.

It is folk at its best, drawing on elements of traditional music from all over the world, and putting them into a pop album. Unfortunately that means it has all the predictability of pop music too.

The production is outstanding. It is earthy, warm and energetic with lots of grunt for acoustic instruments.

The melodies and vocals evoke Mumford and Sons.The songs have the feeling that they have been written to stand alone in stripped back form. (LC)

***