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Album Review: Story Books – Too Much a Hunter EP

Finding their footing with last summer’s single ‘Peregrine’ on BBC Introducing, Story Books follows up with their new EP ‘Too Much a Hunter’, out this week on Communion. Tipped in January in Mary’s TGTF Guide to SXSW 2013, Mary wondered out loud, “Not really sure why they’re not more popular or, frankly, why we haven’t heard of them yet”. Kristofer Harris, Robert Wilks, Joseph Whitnell, Andrew Parry and Jack Tarrant however, did make a splash at this year’s SXSW in Austin playing the Communion showcase and more. We got to catch up with them in Austin too. The now released EP is set to show them in a proper light ready to take the stage.

The EP opens with ‘Simple Kids’ and a sound ever so slightly reminiscent of South Africa’s Civil Twilight, profound and evocative almost like the beginning of a really good movie. The deep piano chords characterize the tune and it crashes in a glorious wrap up with ‘stay close to your troubles don’t let them interfere/with your sense of wonder until it disappears.’ ‘Knot’ ups their game a bit with strummy guitars and a driving beat. It’s also a little more biting in its view of life: “Oh Lord, she chose / she chose the crooked path / from the start she’d never be pure enough / she could be cold as a cave / cold as a cave should be”. Meanwhile, ‘Glory and Growth’ shows off some acoustic guitar skills over an eerie palette of piano and slight distortion. Harris’ voice caresses the lyrics and teases out a story. He is quite hypnotic to listen to. ‘All Those Arrows’ winds up the album with a crashing build showing just a hint of just how good this band will be live.

Supporting such TGTF familiars as Grouplove, Kyla La Grange and most recently King Charles, Story Books is poised to make a splash in the indie alt-folk arena. Catch them at the Great Escape in Brighton 16-18 May. Editor Mary and festival liaison John Fernandez will both be there to greet you (and them) with a hearty hello.

7.5/10

The debut EP from Story Books, called ‘Too Much a Hunter’, is out now on Communion Records. Watch the promo video for ‘Simple Kids’ below. Mary interviewed three of the band at SXSW 2013 last month, and you can listen to the interview here; you can also read her reviews of their live show from the Wednesday and Saturday of SXSW 2013.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKzMJYwiNiE[/youtube]