Faustus - Death and Other Animals (2016) [Hi-Res]

Four years after their critically-acclaimed album Broken Down Gentlemen, Faustus, the pioneering ‘bloke folk’ trio return with their third release – Death and Other Animals. Here they tackle, head-on, subjects from the Dance of Death to the plight of the common man, sand-swallowed ships to mythical black dogs.

During 2016 the band have been Artists in Residence at Halsway Manor, National Centre for the Folk Arts, in the Quantock Hills of Somerset, where they have had unlimited access to the Manor’s extensive library. Material found therein has shaped this album which includes four songs unique to Halsway’s little-known Ruth Tongue archive. Halsway has been omnipresent throughout the process as the band not only researched material but recorded the album in the Manor.

In addition to traditional music from the English canon, in which Faustus excel, they present a song by UK legend, Bill Caddick, and have set a poem by award-winning Olivia McCannon, to new music. Original melodies sit alongside old words (some from manuscripts lurking in a secret filing cabinet at Halsway, yet published) and newly composed instrumentals are included on the album as well.

The band have also turned to pastures new for release and production, striking up a deal with German-based label, Westpark Music, and bringing in Rupert Christie as producer. With past production work including Bellowhead, Tom Baxter, Jessie J and Fisherman’s Friends, Rupert and Faustus was a match made in heaven as he and the band hit it off incredibly well.

„One of Britain's outstanding folk bands.“ (The Guardian)

„The concept? To rescue contemporary folk from the curse of feyness… Bloke-folk!... Fans of Led Zep III should take a thoughtful interest.“ (Independent on Sunday)

Benji Kirkpatrick, voice, bouzouki, guitars, mandolin
Saul Rose, voice, melodeons
Paul Sartin, voice, oboe, cor anglais, violin

Tracklist:
01. Faustus - Slaves (2:58)
02. Faustus - False Foxes (4:48)
03. Faustus - While Gamekeepers Lie Sleeping (4:12)
04. Faustus - Oh to Be a King (6:09)
05. Faustus - The Deadly Sands (4:24)
06. Faustus - Gurt Dog (6:48)
07. Faustus - Adieu to Bon County (4:35)
08. Faustus - One More Day (5:12)
09. Faustus - The Death of the Hart Royal (5:36)
10. Faustus - Harry Kitchener's Jig (5:15)
11. Faustus - Death Goes a Walking (5:36)
12. Faustus - The Knife of Brian / Bluebells and Beech Woods (Bonus Track) (5:55)