Thoughtful and lovely stuff from the nu-folk collective
Beware any press release that mentions the words 'nu-folk'; beware even more any band that lists teeth and toenails amongst their instruments. To say that Tunng are an experimental band would be like saying the sun is hot and the variety of instruments and sounds is bewildering. That experimenting isn't a bad thing, though, but it's clear that this is an album that takes time to get used to. Glimpses of electronica and other such genres show through and it sounds perfectly in place. At first, compared to well-known members of the nu-folk scene like Devendra Banhart, they come across as one-dimensional but listen some more and there are some wonderful twists and turns.
From the first track there is something totally primitive what with all the forest and nature noises, but wait! What's this? Electronic bleeps like you get on the O2 ads - not so backwards after all. The bleakness of 'Hanged' is true to its name, more picturesque than a song it wouldn't be out of place in a film score. 'Woodcat' is more traditional and gentle; lyrically and vocally the ideas are charming at times but, with lines such as 'We're all in for a lovely time', it all seems a bit primary school-like.
Sure, parts of 'Comments of the Inner Chorus' have charm but there's no escaping that the more upbeat moments particularly, are rather childlike. Songs such as 'The Wind Up Bird' and 'Man in the Box', with their gentle acoustic guitars and funny noises, never seem to go anywhere. Whether they're trying to put an element of traditional folk into these songs it's hard to tell, but whatever their ideas, it all ends up sounding like a bunch of stoned hippies wrote it. Only the sombre lyrics make it into something with a bit more depth.
Instead, the more melancholy tracks are best ones. Like 'Hanged', the songwriting 'Red and Green' may be simple but the downbeat touch adds another level. It seems more genuine despite the bleeps; it's easy to imagine it being played by people in a medieval village. 'Stories' too is affecting and the fast, circular melody lends an urgency to an otherwise unruffled record. Without these, and other similar songs, 'Comments of the Inner Chorus' just wouldn't have the effect it does; that of being surprising and lovely.
If this album doesn't strike you immediately, give it a few spins before you cast it aside and you will be richly rewarded. The nu-folk scene may not be to everyone's taste, but Tunng have made something with depth and feeling.