Harp – Albion – Album Review
by Killian Laher

For those who find Midlake have lost their lustre, here is the long-awaited album from former singer Tim Smith, recording with his wife as Harp.  Don’t worry, he hasn’t discovered the 21st century or anything like that, it’s just as retro as his former band, right from the artwork and the font on the cover.

After opening with a brief instrumental, The Pleasant Grey, the moody folk-rock I Am The Seed sets the tone, lush instrumentation with a slightly warped-out feel, allied to Smith’s soft vocals.  It’s followed by the warm, jangly A Fountain and Daughters of Albion.  There is some really fine, jangly guitar work on the deceptively simple sounding Silver Wings and Seven Long Suns.  Shining Spires is almost choral and a bit too sweet, but it’s a rare misstep, while the final track Herstmonceux opens with choral singing before settling into an easy, laidback melody.

It’s said this album was influenced by the 1980s but there’s not much sign of it here, except maybe the guitar on the excellent penultimate track Throne of Amber, which sounds like early Cure through a softrock filter. But for the most part, Tim Smith inhabits a world where the 70s take centre stage.  This album certainly doesn’t disappoint, but you can’t help feeling that a reunion with his former bandmates would produce a killer album.

I Am The Seed