Reviews

Artist:Deep Elem
Album:Lost In The Woods
Label:Reveal Records
Tracks: 6
Rating: ***
Contact:   www.revealrecords.com

Before I get into the review proper, a question. What do you call it when Americana sneaks back across the Atlantic and adds a British influences? UKana? Amelanda? Whatever it ends up getting called, Deep Elem are well on their way to giving the music an identity. One thing for sure, it's definitely not mid-atlantic
The core of the sound and the vocalisation definitely draw from Americana. The same is true about the instrumentation that has a finger picked quality about it. Banjo and guitar are amply supported by drawled vocals and harmonica and fiddle. It's almost like mountain music mixed with the rolling English hills.
The resulting hybrid is very listenable. Deep Elem, Ben Church and Benet Walsh have hit upon a sound and style that is rich in harmony and contrast. For the recordings they've added acoustic bass and drums, the result is a mini album that creeps into the subconscious and before you know it there is nothing distracting you from the album, apart from the fact it's just finished.
It's the big problem with "Lost In The Woods" it's only just over 18 minutes and it's not enough.
The laid back feel means you have to grow towards it like a sunflower to the sun. You don't really notice how good the first track is as you're still waking to the dawn. The second track really catches you and by the time you reach the 6th you really are in the mood to really appreciate the sound and there's nothing more for you.
"Lost In The Woods" is really too short, to use the band's own album title as alagory, you've gone walking in the woods, you think you might actually want to get lost, but as you look back with trepidation you can still see the carpark. It's not the songwriting either I mixed up the running order several times and still had the same problem.
Deep Elem have hit upon a great sound. They perform well and I would be interested as to why they stopped at a mini album. "Lost In The Woods" has something distinct about it. It's an original take on an old genre and I wish the boys all the best.