Pitchfork

Evoking the traditional folk collective vibes of the Fairport Convention, England's the Memory Band will soon release their U.S. debut Apron Strings, featuring contributions from space-folkie Adem, Hot Chip's Al Doyle, and former-Simian Simon Lord. The pastoral affair arrives October 10 via Vetiver/Vashti Bunyan label Dicristina Stair Builders.

Folktronica dude Stephen Cracknell (who, as Gorodisch, released Thurn & Taxis on the Leaf Label in 2001), assembled the Memory Band circa 2001 with the intention of creating a "folk supergroup," in his own words. The MB collected a pair of previous EPs into a well-received self-titled UK debut album in 2004. Certainly worth a listen, particularly if you find most contemporary folk too freak-ish.

Apron Strings also features vocals from folk singer Nancy Wallace and fiddle-playing from Elysian Quartet member Jennymay Logan. Cracknell and Co. tackle a number of traditional folk tunes, as well as covers, including Ronnie Lane's "The Poacher" and Carly Simon's "Why".

Apron Strings:

01 Blackwaterside
02 Come Write Me Down
03 Brambles
04 Green Grows the Laurel
05 I Wish I Wish
06 Light
07 Want You to Know
08 Deltic Soul
09 Why
10 Reasons
11 Evil
12 The Poacher