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Reviewed by Chris Dent

Fraser Ross: Mongrels

Reviewed by Chris Dent

Fraser Ross: Mongrels

‘We are all mongrels baby,’ is the chorus refrain from the title track of this album and that line will more than probably resonate with you. It’s the third piece of poignant music in a set that plays out in a similar way to a live show. Each track flows with rises and falls of pace, dynamic and playfulness. Fraser Ross has compiled the songs for the last five years and plenty of thought has gone into his process. Songs cover a wide range of topics, often shambling from point to point in a Dylan style of rhetoric that’s easy to understand.

Somebody Else does this best, telling the story of a man and his relationship with jail and the outside world afterward. A sad tale that oozes through his guitar and vocal performance. Fraser’s tour poster describes himself as ‘eccentric folk’ but most of the songs here are fairly grounded, with some interesting sounds that shape the album to give it extra imagery. Kitchen Blues comes close by tapping on the shoulder of rockabilly and the more ruckus side of his repertoire that must be evident when he plays live. The album rounds off with two beautiful melancholic tunes, Lead Me Out Tonight and The Sea. A myriad of instruments all come together in an orchestral wind up, but amongst all of this his voice is gently somber and reassuring. This beautiful album captures his songs humbly and honestly. It was recorded at Tpot Studios in Scotland with the other three main musicians being Gavin McGinty, Robbie Ward and Tim Key.

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