After more than 50 years, it's high time
Ian & Sylvia had some serious competition as Canada's greatest folk duo. And
Kacy Anderson and
Clayton Linthicum are just the folks to throw down the gauntlet, even if they seem a bit shy to be challenging a beloved national institution. Between
Kacy's subtle but emotionally powerful vocals and
Clayton's multi-instrumental gifts, this duo has created a quietly brilliant second album with 2016's Strange Country. On this set,
Kacy & Clayton have melded the rootsy overtones of vintage North American folk revival albums of the '60s with the passionate traditionalism of British folk-rock.
Anderson's vocals have drawn comparisons to
Sandy Denny, arguably the greatest singer of the British folk scene of the '60s and '70s. While
Anderson's instrument isn't as precise as that of the
Fairport Convention icon, there's a plainspoken but engagingly sweet tone to her voice that's nearly as effective as
Denny's. And
Linthicum may not be a guitar hero in the manner of
Richard Thompson, but his picking on a variety of instruments is invariably right on the money.
Linthicum and his sidemen give this music a low-key but effective atmospheric tone. And the originals he's penned with
Anderson are as strong as the three traditional numbers that appear in the album's second half. (And "The Rio Grande" could pass for an outtake from
Denny's 1967 album with
the Strawbs, with splendid harmonies from
Anderson and
Linthicum.) Strange Country is that rare album that's clearly ambitious but doesn't sound overcooked.
Anderson,
Linthicum, and producer
Shuyler Jansen have kept the performances and the audio spare enough that the music sounds natural and unforced. These recordings sound like they were cut live in the studio, and if they weren't, this album is truly a marvel of artificial spontaneity. Strange Country is a mysteriously and profoundly pleasing piece of work, and if
Kacy & Clayton can create a few more albums this strong, they have the potential to be the new heroes of the North American folk community. Perhaps they should consider a cover of "Four Strong Winds" just to force the issue.... ~ Mark Deming