TITLE: Cervantine
LABEL: L.M. Dupli-cation
REVIEW: Jeremy Barnes, founder of the New Mexico-based duo A Hawk And A Hacksaw, is best known as the drummer in the indie rock band Neutral Milk Hotel. Here he plays accordion and his bandmate is violinist Heather Trost; they’ve been working as a duo since 2004 and they’re joined here by American and British musicians who share their interest in the music of eastern Europe. I’m generally pretty averse to indie-rockers who dabble in global exotica, but this band stopped dabbling a while ago – they’re fully immersed in Romany (gypsy) music, having spent two years living in Hungary and much time traveling and playing with musicians throughout the region. Until now, A Hawk And A Hacksaw’s efforts have left me cold, but with this album I think they’re really onto something. This is 21st century social music, raw and spontaneous and at the same time worldly and informed by cross-cultural points of view. Really worth a listen for fans of Balkan music and folk music in general who are ready for something a little bit different.
REVIEWER: Bill Lupoletti
RECOMMENDED TRACKS: 1 3 5 8
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