James Yorkston and the Athletes - Shipwreckers - Single Review

James Yorkston and the Athletes
Shipwreckers

James Yorkston’s new single is the most immediate song from Just Beyond The River, his second album. He eschews the slowly building intros he is characterised by in favour of a faster-tempo folk-out. Why not? Despite the pleasing variation in style, his deep voice still sings in a typically mournful manner, threatening to break into melodrama but always maintaining a controlled subtlety. Violins sweep into the fray as The Athletes, his trusty backing band, pound out the Celtic folk rhythm under the casual eye of producer Kieran

Hebden (aka laptop pioneer Four Tet). The production is warm and immediate. He apparently felt he needed to give little input into the recording, and preferred to capture a naked, organic sound.

The copy I have is a one track promo only and does not contain the b-sides on the seven inch and cd version, though I hear the b-side on the seven inch is excitingly long and Can-like. Nice. One. So why not give it a listen?

http://www.jamesyorkston.co.uk