Rating: NNNNN
The self-titled third album from the Philly freak-folk foursome Fern Knight picks up where the delightful Music For Witches And Alchemists left off. The key progression is that they’ve recognized the mysterious power of cellist Margie Wienk’s voice and decided to make better use of her piercing pipes to maximize their thrilling/chilling potential.
Traces of trippy UK hippie folk, particularly Mellow Candle, remain evident in places, but Fern Knight have now established a recognizably haunting sound and entrancing aesthetic of their own built around Wienk’s singing, which they’re clearly capable of employing in the studio to spellbinding effect. Beautifully spooky.