Reichenbach Falls

Sometimes music doesn't have to grab you by the throat to satisfy. It can please through sheer likeability, and comforting familiarity. Like how it feels to return home after a lengthy excursion.

Such could be said of Reichenbach Falls, whose wistful americana transmits a lovely warmth to a listener. Singer Abe Davies's close mic'd croon brings to mind Marc Eitzel of American Music Club but with an added edge of Ryan Adams's raspier throat strings. These names are those of alt.country royalty, and whilst the I'll Never Go Anywhere Without You EP is slight in comparison to the mighty discographies of the aforementioned acts, there are signs that this Oxford based act are capable of following a similar path.

The lovelorn country music which Reichenbach Falls tap into is nothing new, yet it's a style that when done well, is timeless. The familiar tropes of (unreachable) women, (self) pity, and (bar-stool) wisdom, are all alive and well. There are also the obligatory lashings of lap and pedal steel. The EP, as a whole, is saved from maudlin bad vibes, due to winningly lush production, and musical proficiency. In 'Risky', for example, ( sample lyric: 'I tell myself I like dejection, but I'm not sure I can take it any more') sprightly piano lines and a catchy as hell octave shifting lead guitar part etches the song firmly in the memory. While the song may document a poisoned relationship, none of the toxins make it through into the music itself. The whole affair is peculiarly uplifting, with a jaunty hoe-down style chorus, which has an uncanny ability to repeat on you when you're least expecting it (in a good way!).

Reichenbach Falls make heartache sound if not fun, at least very listenable. And these four tracks succeed in coming off as elegantly melancholic rather than stolidly cheesy, which is no mean feat in this genre, and a testament to the quality of the songwriting. While lyrically, the band aren't reinventing any wheels, the earnest narratives make an apt accompaniment to the undeniably gorgeous arrangements. 'The Best I Could', in particular, is a lovely lament featuring gilded guitar picking, and some great CSNY aping vocal harmonising in its coda. The EP rushes by and finishes with the quietly cinematic 'In The Wreckage', which dips its toes in more ambitious territory and comes out on top.

All told, its not hard to see Reichenbach Falls becoming popular, such is their persistent tunefulness. And I for one would love to see their tasteful take on country grace some of the UK festivals this summer. (End Of The Road organisers - if you are reading, The Garden Stage on Sunday would be ideal for this one!). A name to watch out for.