The Balky Mule - The Length of the Rail

The Balky Mule – The Length of the Rail

Everyone loves a singer-songwriter, right? The charts are full of ‘em. But are any of the big names worth the hype? One that certainly will be, when he hits the top, is Sam Jones, aka The Balky Mule. Originally hailing from Bristol, this British expat now resides in Melbourne, making stunning lo-fi music.

So let’s get stuck in to the bulk of The Balky Mule, shall we? The sounds of the sea and a plinking guitar lead us into Jones’ world of homemade music, via opener “Dust Bird Baths”, where his light, gentle voice flits around the music, complimenting its subtle composition. As the song progresses, it builds up into a delicately-layered pop masterpiece, which hangs around in your head, willing you to listen on.

Similarly, “Wireless” is sure to be a hit of the future. It’s that simple. Catchy and beautiful, the guitar and electronics allow Jones’ vocals to take you further on your journey into the world of The Balky Mule. The delightful vocals linger in your head long after listening, giving the impression that this has been a favourite song for years already.

Guitar-driven track “Range”, again, sounds familiar, but not in the sense that Jones has been naughty and copied someone else. Rather, it invites you in as a close friend would, and slaps a great big grin on your face. And you really can’t help but smile when listening to this gem, the sunny melodies playfully tickling your ears, while the simple drum beat meanders its way through the background.

Album closer, “Tell Me Something Sweet”, is superbly charming. It lulls you into a zen state, calming you, and emulating the general pleasantness of the album which has preceded it.

It is really quite hard to write about individual tracks on “The length of the Rail”. The album flows so well, and is full of so many excellent songs, that it is hard to pick stand-out tracks. The album, as a whole, is a masterful blend of lo-fi electronics and understated guitar, cleverly melted down into a fondue of audio-loveliness.

“The Length of the Rail” is folk music for the 21st Century, recorded in 2006 both before and after his move to Melbourne, it follows a long line of self-released CD-Rs and cassettes, and signifies an undeniable high-point in Jones’ career. Long live The Balky Mule.

The Balky Mule is currently touring the UK, and the album is out now. Buy it.
For more information check out www.myspace.com/thebalkymule

ES