Singles

The Boy Who Trapped The Sun - Home EP

Tiffany Daniels 16/02/2010

Rating: 3/5

It's a pet peeve of mine: the folk genre is fast getting confused with acoustic; artists from all over the country are releasing their music under the category but few appreciate its true definition - originating from the common people, using a traditional tale, or taking an often-poetic look at common society. In that sense, few of the "nu-folk" patrons are credible. As a Chess Club signee and a self confessed Nick Drake addict, The Boy Who Trapped the Sun undoubtedly falls under the "nu-folk" category- as much as he fails to appreciate folk's social importance.

In reality, this is soft rock - that old sub-section that has modern journalists cringing, Q Magazine calling for more and any record shop employee, past or present, crawling the walls. The fact is the tag is nothing to be ashamed of though, as the Home EP proves. The songs gently strum and caress the listener until their melodies have enveloped and simple lyrics charmed. Standout tracks 'In the Dar' and 'The Fox' display an eloquence that could be elaborated upon elsewhere, but ultimately all five tracks prove their recording worth.

As is apparent from his press release and consequent online blurbs, The Boy, a.k.a. Colin Macleod, would prefer to be associated with classic, rather than contemporary musicians…if he's looking to me for that comparison, he'll be sorely disappointed. This is a product of the early 2000's and reminisces on summer wake up calls and trips to the local cafe. The EP is far easier going than Johnny Cash and less ramshackle than Bob Dylan (confusingly, both quoted influences), and sits somewhere between the Garden State soundtrack and a mug of Horlix. It's not boring, but it's been done before, and it's for that reason I can't conjure up the praise this clearly accomplished songwriter deserves.

Given time, The Boy Who Trapped the Sun can hopefully come to terms with his natural ability and perhaps take a second look at the misguiding implications his promotional team deliver; until then, Home will do.