Good Old War & Cast Spells - Split EP

Good Old War is an acoustic indie trio composed of former members from Days Away and Unlikely Cowboy. They're teaming up with Cast Spells, the solo project of experimental act Maps & Atlases' singer David Davison, to release this 4-song split on their common label, Sargent House.

Good Old War's first song, 'Breaking down', starts off as a mellow introduction, reminding the atmosphere created on a track like 'Weak man' from their album released last year. But the song takes a totally different turn when the band speeds up the pace to create a fast acoustic indie-pop song, with Tim Arnold's snare drum more energetic than ever. They've really stepped it up on this one. The second song, 'Texas blues', is even better. Slower, with delicious instrumentation and singer Keith Goodwin at his best; the band isn't mistaken, that's what we were waiting from them. I am less keen on Cast Spells' music, especially as those songs are more folk than his previous stuff. But Davison is a talented man, he writes good melodies and intelligent lyrics. It's a much darker atmosphere than Good Old War. Whereas 'All brass' incorporates keys, 'Letters' focuses on the singer's aerial voice with only a guitar.

This split is another reason to be excited for Good Old War's next album. The three guys apply the same formula with the same success and if they keep going like this, it doesn't seem like they're going to fail anytime soon. I am less interested in Cast Spell's songs as his music appeals less to me but it's some pretty folk from a busy man able to accomplish a lot in such short amounts of time.

3.5/5

Nb.: You can listen to the EP here.

Recommanded if you like:
Cassino, Anthony Green, Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground
Check also:
Hezekiah Jones, Right Away, Great Captain!, Benjamin E. Morsberger

www.myspace.com/goodoldwar
www.myspace.com/castspells

(Sargent House, 2009)