Album Review: Alasdair Roberts

(Drag City)

Cover of the album Alasdair Roberts. (Drag City)

Alasdair Roberts - contemporary purveyor of traditional, almost medieval sounding, Scottish music - continues to impress with a new set of poetic songs with a sometimes dark and romantic undertow. Whilst previous album A Wonder Working Stone featured a range of guest musicians, elaborate arrangements, and shifting tempos, this eponymous offering is a much more stripped down affair mainly showcasing Roberts’ own refined guitar playing and singing. It is a warm and intimate listening experience, where the somewhat sombre mood is lightened by the occasional guest clarinet flourish and excellent vocal harmonies of the Crying Lion singing quartet.

3.5 stars out of 5