THE ORDER OF THE TWELVE – LORE OF THE LAND
With Rachel Thomas on vocals music provided by Stuart (Fumaca Preta) Carter and Richard (The Grid/Beyond The Wizards Sleeve) Norris, The Order of the Twelve make low key but deeply melodic and occasionally disturbing psych-folk. Active for at least a decade, so far as I can make out this is their debut album. Recorded in the shadows of Lewes Castle, there’s a hint of trip-hop in the production values whilst the music recalls the likes of Sandy Denny, Broadcast and Mark Hollis’s solo work.
Against The Tide is a jaunty opener, with rollocking bass and funky guitar breaks. Eye Of A Lens evokes the melancholy of a cold winter’s afternoon. Money Can’t Buy is gently gorgeous. The title track conjures the feeling of rolling fields. The Forest At Night adds lounge-jazz bass to the mix whilst the piano led Save Me From The Carnival is a personal highlight and disquietly dark closer Down To The Ring could be a Sussex Unthanks.
This is a strong album. Of the eleven tracks, there is rarely a misstep and, after a dozen or so listens, I’m still finding new delights in the mix.
8/10
