Campfire Classics

having spent the last couple of years building up a loyal following in wales with their welsh language albums, sibrydion are set to release their debut 'english language' long player. though not fundamentally a concept lp, brothers meilir and osian gwynedd have laced 'campfire classics' with their 'django folklore' that betrays their healthy love for the wild, wild west. produced by their friend cian ciaran from super furry animals, sibrydion have lassoed stories of leone-inspired tales of betrayal and redemption whilst skimming a coin into burt bacharach's pool of bittersweet songwriting essentially, 'campfire classics' is a warped pop album. opening with the cinecitta inspired 'god forgives, i don't' (the title of a '67 spaghetti western) the band gallop into 'coupe de grace' a story of how love and betrayal can change a man's heart, that bolts out of it's swing doors faster than klaus kinski steaming to the bar after 17 years in his grave. other highlights include 'desperados' about a lone ranger who loses his way in life though happily accompanied by joyous harmonies; 'violent light''s lush arrangement shadowing the score for butch cassidy and the sundance kid; the whiskey rush of 'praying for rain' (a title the pope used for a speech in the hot summer of 2003 asking god for water from the skies). and 'rosalynn' inspired by a tiny article mei read whilst in buenos aires about a young salsa dancer girl who'd taken her life. her plight and name is heralded at the end of the song by a thundering male choir. this album is bright, dynamic and eccentric pop music.