M Craft - Silver and Fire Album Review

M Craft
Silver and Fire
679
Album Review

Martin Craft is Britain's answer to Sam Beam of Iron and Wine - a wonderful songwriter with a glorious delivery that recalls Sufjan Stevens at his gentlest best. An Australian who grew up in London as well as Canberra and Sydney, his dreamy folk fits into the same record store section as Jose Gonzales (although Craft is warmer) and Paul Simon (although Craft is more naturally rhythmic).

Silver and Fire recalls a long-lost 60s folk pop album - all smart sophistication and nicely sad Cohenesque lyrics. It is warm, addictive and varied. His fans include the Magic Numbers, whose vibe he shares, the Concretes and the Chemical Brothers, so he is clearly onto something good. Coming off a support role on the Magic Numbers tour, there is little doubt that he has made the better album, so we can only hope that he achieves some of their success.

Rating 8/10

Mike Rea