Three Cane Whale - Palimpsest: atmosphere, shifting sonic patterns and an odd kind of originality

Those looking for new experiences in folk music would do well to direct their ears to UK multi-instrumental trio, Three Cane Whale.

Between them, Paul Bradley, Pete Judge and Alex Vann play over 20 instruments, ranging from the standard (acoustic guitar, trumpet, mandolin) to the not-so (rotary-valve tenor horn, lyre harp and, Ye Gods!, bowed psaltery).

This is folk music that trawls the past, yet – similar to what fellow UK bands such as The Unthanks – manages to wilfully snag contemporary elements such as atmosphere, shifting sonic patterns and an odd kind of originality.

Palimpsest is perfectly titled (the word is defined as "a very old document on which original writing has been erased and replaced with new") and production by Portishead's Adrian Utley only adds to the sense of wonder.

[ threecanewhale.com ]