We seem to have had some remarkably eclectic music coming in this month with efforts from Sealight (gentle ambient drone) and Alice Sweet Alice (indefinable alt rock) setting stakes in the sand some miles apart from the normal toxic brew of extreme metal that finds its way to us. Now we meet My humble attempt, a French act play acoustic folk/rock and who recall nothing so much as the bonus disc that came with Seafood’s ‘when do we start fighting’ (also released separately as the ‘courswork’ EP) with their contrasting male/female vocals and off-kilter guitar parts.
Opening with ‘a love untold’, my humble attempt demonstrate a simple pop nous and ability beloved of open mic nights and acoustic clubs across the country. Theirs is a simple premise – energetic guitar and vocals played with vigour and passion and minimal augmentation to separate the studio product form the live incarnation of the band. Referencing actress ‘scarlett Johansson’ on a track that sees flute and piano added to the mix, the band have a genuine talent for crafting memorable choruses and their music is largely reminiscent of the myriad radio sessions performed in the mid nineties by England’s more versatile alternative acts, creating a feeling of gentle nostalgia, and there is no denying there is a certain pleasure in listening to these well-crafted songs. ‘Your bambie eyes’ is bizarrely like a folk version of the stone temple pilots – a sort of stripped down, slightly grungy ballad that you can easily imagine appearing amidst a set of blazing alt-rock to show the band’s sensitive side, although here it is actually one of the louder moments thanks to some heavy handed strumming and a raw vocal that is as impassioned as it is tuneful.
Moving away from more contemporary sounds, ‘the land of our fathers’ is pure folk, with a touch of flute and a good helping of Billy Bragg-esque anger shot through the vocals; It’s a convincing and touching track and you can imagine it going down well at one of the many folk festivals that take place each year across the UK. ‘Enough’ returns to the more alternative sound and will find favour amongst fans of Lou Barlow’s more acoustic-orientated work. ‘Like father like son’ is a more simple lament that relies on a pop hook to insert itself in your brain, although more successful at this is ‘Rachel’ which is one of the highlights of the album. Once again calling to mind Billy Bragg’s gently folky polemic is ‘hometown heroes’, a track that initially features just a voice and guitar, the addition of violin is a nice touch and rounds the sound out nicely as do the vocal harmonies on the chorus. Of the remaining two tracks ‘380’days is a simple, beautiful lament while the closing strains of ‘summertime’, a piano-led tune that hints at an appreciation for the pop ballad as well as for the more typical folk pastures that the band inhabit.
Overall My humble attempt are an interesting prospect who will find favour with fans of traditional folk music, and while their style is undoubtedly too light for the majority of visitors to this site, they demonstrate a rare talent for synthesising traditional folk and imbuing it with their own unique interests and tastes.
