2016-09-03 EP REVIEW - THE SILK ROAD "s/t EP" (2016)

The Silk Road "s/t EP"
Release date: July 12, 2016
Running time: 17:02, 4 tracks

No, I’m not going to write about the Japanese New Age artist Kitaro and his well-known “Silk Road” album. The Silk Road is a British fiddle folk punk band hailing from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. They have recently released a 4 tack EP and intend to issue their debut album in October/November 2016. Tich Vango (lead vocals, guitar), Andy Hardwick (banjo, guitar), Brian Buckberry (drums), Shaun Haley (bass), Jamie Burney (fiddle) recorded the 4 songs together with guest Jim (harmonica, backing vocals).

“Boats come in at Midnight” is the first track on the EP. As similar band Folk the System showed recently, there is enough place for new bands on the British folk-punk scene, and The Silk Road confirm that. Interesting song showcasing fiddle, harmonica and bass.

Track no. 2 is one of the EP’s highlights: “Ancient Road / Montagu’s Harrier”. The former is a fantastic Brighton school number and the latter is a kick-ass fiddle led tune with a Feroucious Dog feel.

“Scars that Remain” is probably the most Levellers infused number on the EP. Great song.

The EP is over with “I Don’t Care”, one of my top 2 songs. It’s not a Ramones cover, but an amazing fiddle punk number in the early Bleeding Hearts vein.

The English fiddle folk punk scene is alive and kicking. Levellers are celebrating 25 years of “Levelling the Land” and will be touring the USA, Canada and Australia in September/October 2016, Ferocious Dog have placed the focus on the scene again with their two brilliant studio albums and lots of festivals’ line-ups include new bands, most of them featured on the Levellers tribute album “Bostin’ Days”. My advice: check out The Silk Road, you’ll love them too.

Tracklist:

01 - Boats Come in at Midnight 2:56
02 - Ancient Road / Montagu's Harrier 6:13
03 - Scars that Remain 4:47
04 - I don't Care 3:08

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Review by Kinksmarkham