David Lance Callahan English Primitive II - Folk & Acoustic Guitar Music for Relaxation, Study, and Meditation

‘English Primitive I’ was festooned with praise by eminent critics, including the Poet Laurette, Simon Armitage, and Stewart Lee who labelled it as 2021’s stand-out album. To those asking whether the second volume could maintain such distinguished standards, the short answer is an emphatic, ‘Yes’. With column inches to fill, I will gladly wax lyrical to reveal more. 

In his work with The Wolfhounds and Moonshake, David Lance Callahan’s quality as one of the finest contemporary lyricists could be submerged under their sonic adventures. As a chronicler of modern times, he inhabits the skin of his narrators or characters upon whom he provides commentary, be they rulers or downtrodden, providing vignettes of unease. Musically, ‘English Primitive II’ is harder and more psychedelic than its predecessor but knits together an impressive range of left-field influences into coherent shape.

Opening track ‘The Invisible Man’ has distant samples, warped guitars rising and swelling alongside Daren Garratt’s knotted rhythmic pattern while the narrator, unacknowledged by society, sounds oppressed and ready to explode. Another underdog, a customer services employee, narrates ‘The Scapegoat’ which takes its inspiration from Daniel Pennac’s novel, ‘The Fairy Gunmother’, the weary and quietly embarrassed tone of the vocal delivery suiting the hopelessness of their position. It is set to a droning bottom string guitar, with glockenspiel and harmonies from Anja, combined with samples from easy listening records.

David has graciously signed 2 vinyl copies!