Having returned from his voyages of discovery around the globe, Alasdair Roberts brought back a cargo trunk of assorted musical goods for musical merchants and fans. Entitled, Spoils, this treasure trove of tunes harks back to times gone by and includes a whole host of ancient instruments and melodies that will dazzle all who listen to them.
If anyone can capture traditional Scottish sounds (sans bagpipes) with a modern feel and make them more heartwarming then Alasdair, I would love to meet them. Alasdair's enunciation and emotion coat each of the songs on Spoils making them personal and enthralling to listen to. At times on Spoils it sounds as if he's singing sea shanties, old pub songs, and ancient love ballads and it's the way he writes those songs and then croons them that makes them so alluring and fascinating.
Alasdair clearly is not from our era, he's a messenger sent forward in time to show mankind how the simple life sometimes is the best way. In a world gone mad it's comforting to know that someone as knowledgeable like Alasdair is around. That knowledge does not go to waste as Spoilsis a lovely, seductive folk record with sounds that will haunt your soul long after they're gone. From the intricate medieval like, "The Book of Doves," to the longing and lovelorn intimacy of "The Flyting of Grief and Joy," Alasdair Roberts has written a touchingly quiet and stirring record that's absolutely gorgeous and a joy to listen to repeatedly.
If I've seen the future of music recently and loved it, then I've just heard the past (ancient past) of music and I think I love it even more. The the victor go the Spoils and I couldn't feel any richer or victorious for having stumbled upon this album!
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