Alexander Tucker - Dorwytch Review

Alexander Tucker is an impressive songwriter that clearly isn't afraid to patron old school European Folk. That being said, nothing on Dorwytch sounds like the same old song and dance.

Alexander Tucker - Dorwytch (2011) – 6.6 / 10.0

Release Date: April 12, 2011
Running Time: 54:58
Label: Thrill Jockey Records
Genre: Alternative Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Drug of Choice: LSD, Wine, Marijuana
Key Tracks:
"His Arm Has Grown Long"
"Pearl Relics"
"Sill"

English songwriter Alexander Tucker is a long time veteran of the Alternative Folk scene. Dorwytch is his first LP since 2008's Portal and it pays off more than the typical American equivalent. While Tucker pulls from sources as varied as Syd Barrett, Fairport Convention, My Bloody Valentine, and Depeche Mode (his vocals are sometimes a dead ringer for Dave Gahan), his most important influence appears to be John Cale. That is a reference I find all to rare in today's songwriters.

The result is a folk-inspired record that relies more heavily on tight deliveries than overuse of space. That traffic jam of notes helps accentuate the difference between tracks that can spell boredom in some of his contemporaries' work. That being said, Tucker could definitely use some help trimming the fat from Dorwytch. Some of the droning instrumental tracks, like "Jamie" or "Dark Rift/Black Road", don't particularly feel at home on the record. And, at almost an hour long, these tracks certainly aren't absolutely necessary to complete the work.

Though Tucker does some experimenting with electronics here, he is at his strongest when accompanied by strings. The orchestrations on "His Arm Has Grown Long" and "Red String" are excellent examples of how to use strings to give a song extra power, rather than to sap it dry. In total, Dorwytch is a worthwhile listen from an important musician, but probably wont do much to interest fans outside of the European Folk scene (though I think early-Pink Floyd fans could find Tucker a sort of guru).


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