WolfNote “Herding Cats“ Album Review

The compressed jangle of a steel string guitar opens WolfNote´s new album. Pleasing first impressions are of early 90´s classics such as Crowded House and Tracy Chapman. This pop/folk era is further evoked by Gill McCoy´s lilting vocal, quickly harmonised by two female voices, bringing to mind The Cranberries or The Corrs.

Interestingly however, this first track is not typical of the release which moves effortlessly through several New Folk styles. This variety stems from WolfNote´s co-operative approach to song writing and their sharing of the lead vocal.

WolfNote, who hail from Berkshire, began 4 years ago as a vocal partnership between Gill McCoy and Bex Rennie. Later joined by Ceri Rushent on violin and seasoned singer/guitarist Mike Tuffery. Their most recent addition is Ann Mari Thomas who brings additional percussion and completes the female vocals. WolfNote´s sound is built around their harmonies, which deftly inter-twine with strings and even recorder to create a luxurious audio blanket to envelop us.
All original work, their new release is impressive both for it´s brave lyrical depths and alluring melodies. The album, released on the 1st September, is mysteriously named Herding Cats, perhaps a reference to a chaotic recording process. Thankfully there is no sign of disorder in the well polished final product.

Westward Winds, Track 4, is of particular interest, coming as it does (as a complete surprise) after 3 female lead folk/pop tunes. Mike Tuffery emerges from his usual rhythm section to bring us an immense big sky vocal.  To my surprise this was not a cowboy song (I was sure I could feel a saddle beneath me) but actually a track about sailing and relationship break up.

Possibly our favourite track was Love and Light, Track 7. This account of putting a tragically brave face on an unhappy marriage has an infectious underlying urgency. The vocals and fiddle intertwine in delicious counterpoint, however the violin perhaps missed a trick not taking a wild solo after verse two.

Track 8, Queso is also worthy of mention, bowling along at its pleasing pace with an enjoyable cello bass line. Not bad for a track named Cheese.

Track 9, Wandering Soul opens with a wonderful soaring violin. The track has great pace, lyrics and a melody that perfectly straddles traditional folk and pop.
The rhythm and arrangement however could possible have benefited from more variation. The listener can always handle more tension and release.

Overall WolfNote´s Herding Cats is a varied and entertaining folk/pop album, which you will find buzzing around your head long after it has finished playing.
We look forward to hearing more from WolfNote as they develop.

Herding Cats is available online from www.wolfnote.uk