Album

Under Mountains

Stanley Odd aren't the only Solas act releasing an album this week. Rachel Sermanni's debut Under Mountains is out today, and to mark the occasion, the track Waltz is iTunes' free Single of the Week.

Those who've bought Rachel's most recent EPs will already have most of the tracks on the album, although in different recordings. There don't seem to be any new arrangements here - just re-recording. So while I prefer the album version of Waltz (with added backing vocals by Louis from Admiral Fallow), I feel somehow that Little Prayer doesn't quite have the charm of the Bothy Sessions EP.

But that's being picky. This is a great collection of songs, beautifully delivered. Recorded in the shadow of the mountains of Lochaber, the title is appropriate and the atmosphere of the Highlands is almost discernible in the music (and certainly Rachel's accent). Add frequent references to the sea and I'm hooked.

You couldn't really get a more different album to Stanley Odd's, but with both Scotland is up-front and centre and that's a good thing.