CD-Charts Position 1
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Poor Man's Heaven

by: Seth Lakeman

Release Date June 30, 2008
Well, album number 4 from Seth Lakeman finds him backed by a major label. Not good news for someone who's used to recording albums in kitchens. So, it was with some scepticism that I listened to Poor Man's Heaven and it was to say the least, a huge letdown. For a start, I don't personally LIKE the songs. They are bland to the extreme, and as several reviewers have already noted, mostly at the same tempo. Did his metronome break or something? Not good. On the plus side, I do like Crimson Dawn and Solomon Browne. The latter is a slightly obscure subject but is poignant and comes across well, despite sounding cluttered - a sparser sound may have suited it better and let the lyrics breathe a little.

To me it all sounds far too mainstream ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Dreams of Breathing Underwater

by: Eliza Carthy

Release Date June 23, 2008
Eliza is a huge talent- writing , playing and a voice like no other, but for me this CD seems to have lost the sound and emotion and subtlety that I love about much of her work.
Big sound, but unsatisfying , maybe less is more?

CD-Charts Position 3
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That's Proper Folk

by: Various Artists

Release Date April 07, 2008
Who cares whether it's proper folk; it's proper good and at an indecently low price

CD-Charts Position 4
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Matachin (Deluxe Hardback Edition)

by: Bellowhead

Release Date September 22, 2008
Another step forward in the new folk revival and the creation and expansion of a more hybrid folk fusion sound that remains all their own. It's fantastic in its scope, but still you can see the opportunity for even greater things to come. Bodens' vision is mind boggling in the simplicity of its component parts, but the creation is complex and immensely satisfying at the same time. These songs are even better live!

CD-Charts Position 5
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Vagabond

by: Spiers & Boden

Release Date May 26, 2008
Slowly my appreciation of English folk grows. Coming in by way of Seth Lakeman and Kate Rusby, I've been seeking out other current artists. None are better than Spiers and Boden. What a beautiful and big sound they make! This is a another great album. I love the vibrancy and the sheer melodiousness. I had the chance to see them live at Bath folk club last weekend and they played most of the tracks here. Wonderful. Kylie Minogue OBE? It should be going to the likes of these true musicians.
By the album, yes, but you must also see them live - that's how folk should be enjoyed.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Fleet Foxes

by: Fleet Foxes

Release Date June 16, 2008
HELLO? HI, THIS IS A GOOD ALBUM, THE SONGS ARE GOOD, IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD, IT MAKES YOU THINK.

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Imagined Village

by: Various Artists

Release Date October 15, 2007
I think this is probably a great album and certainly a sterling effort to bring together a range of influences both old and new to fuse a new UK folk perspective. The first talking bit sounds like Stanley Unwin on that Small faces album though and it can get just a little bit self indulgent - Hopefully like me though it will inspire you to re look at the rich heritage of traditional music this country has to offer

CD-Charts Position 8
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A Piece Of What You Need

by: Teddy Thompson

Release Date August 25, 2008
This has managed to take TT's melancholic style and lyrics and wrap them up in a more layered and upbeat musical style. Definitely his best album so far! Seen him in concert and hopefully this will mean bigger venues and maybe he can lighten up a bit. Yes Teddy you are good so don't be so serious.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Matachin

by: Bellowhead

Release Date September 22, 2008
The excellent CD booklet that comes with this CD informs us that the name Matachin is enigmatic and of uncertain origin .Originally thought to be Arabic and derived from the word mutawajjihin meaning "mask-wearer" though now it is considered to derive from the Italian mattaccino the diminutive of the meaning matto -mad or fool. This is more apt for this 11 piece band have a certain barmy frisson . There is also a hypothesis that the name comes from an old Spanish sword dance ! This album could make you dance though I suspect it will make your head spin and your knees pop out of their sockets if you do .
Bellowhead are for the uninitiated, which until listening to Matachin I was, like a burlesque collision between a folk band and a big band . The music is expansive ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Fotheringay Vol.2

by: Fotheringay

Release Date September 29, 2008
Spotted in a bookshop in Bakewell, Derbyshire. There wasn't a "2" was there? So I bought it. And it's hardly been off in the car since. I agree with other reviewers that not every song here is a gem, but the Lucas numbers do have something that stirs the sentiments. (You who said he wasn't a great songwriter, I present exhibit A - "Bring 'em Down" on Fairport 9). It's true though that it's the Denny tracks that really stir the soul. Her remarkable ability to interpret a song never disappoints on this disc.

With all the emotion in the vocals, and all the Telecaster Pyrotechnics of the genius Donahue, it's easy to ignore the superb foundation on which this edifice is built. British folk-rock music has provided some of the best rhythm sections in the world. Conway and Donaldson ... Read More: