ELECTRIC FOLK

Singer-songwriter Neil Holyoak, born in LA, now living in Montreal, has recorded an album in his own name and three previous albums with this band named Holy Oak. (So this is his fifth overall.) This is (mostly) slow, sad, folk rock with well-crafted, thoughtful lyrics and elegant accompaniment of guitar, bass, perc, occasional strings, a bit of backing vocals.

No FCC issues.

1 Mid-fast. Classic folk-rock sound. Sad all year. Elec guitar, bass, syth, drums. (3:02)
2 Very slow ballad. Ambiguous Cohen-esque lyric. Sad violin & backing vocals. (4:31)
3 Very slow. Tense feel; depressive lyric. Minimal ‘comp on guitar & syth. (2:51)
4 Mid-slow. Dreamy feel; angelic backing vocals. Gains urgency. Worth a listen. (3:16)
5 ** Mid-tempo. A bit more hopeful. Fine singing. Compelling guitar & drums. (4:03)
6 * Slow. Melancholy love song. Interesting, image-filled lyric. Easy, simple rhythm guitar. Fine singing. Lovely backing voice. A bit long for a folk song but worth it. (6:11)
7 * Mid-slow. Nice finger-style guitar. Echo chamber sound. (2:56)
8 Very slow. A somber reflection on life’s changes. Spare guitar & perc. (4:36)
9 ** Very slow. Good expressive singing; moving lyrics. Only an acoustic guitar accompanies in an ironic dance time signature. (6:45)