The Wilderness Of Manitoba: When You Left The Fire

The Wilderness Of Manitoba
When You Left The Fire
tinyORGE Entertainment [2011]









Fire Note Says: Chamber folk from up North should find The Wilderness Of Manitoba an audience well beyond their Canadian providence.

Album Review:
Toronto chamber folk group The Wilderness Of Manitoba play a very honest banjo driven style of music that is perfect for just sitting and gazing out a window on a rainy day. This does not mean that the music here is depressing but it is more about the delicate sound found on When You Left The Fire, as you absolutely don't want any background noise to occur while you absorb their art. The group mostly avoids all electric instruments here, as their giant warm vocal harmonies and organic melodies steal and dominate the show. The one-two punch of "Orono Park" and "November" should be enough to capture your ear but by the time you hit the anthem driven "Summer Fire" midway through - you will be hooked. When You Left The Fire does suffer some from its 57 minute running time and especially its over 13 minute instrumental closer but overall is an enjoyable debut and faithful entry to the ever growing neo-folk genre.

Key Tracks: "Orono Park", "Summer Fires", "White Water"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Great Lake Swimmers
Fleet Foxes
Mumford & Sons

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tinyORGE Entertainment

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony