Breaking the Spell of Loneliness

Here's an interesting project: a set of songs by Scottish balladeer and guitarist Ewan McLennan with lyrics by political activist, environmentalist and Guardian columnist, George Monbiot. The album's self-described concept is neatly spelled out by its title – it's a cry to bring to an end the community alienation and loneliness in contemporary life, which Monbiot expands upon in the earnest accompanying essay. Earnest it may be, but the collaboration works. Monbiot is a good, if sometimes mawkish lyricist, whose verses fit seamlessly with McLennan's tunes. And McLennan is the ideal partner for this project: his ability to create stirring and empathetic folk music with social and political themes has been successfully proven across several albums. His music is as warm and delicate as before, with trembling voice unfolding above picked guitar lines. Seven of the nine tracks are newly written, and the amount of fresh material demonstrates McLennan's consistent talent as a songwriter. There is a touch of Americana, with lively banjo accompaniment on ‘Reclaim the Street’ alongside a new version of the Civil Rights classic ‘We Shall Overcome’, and reminders of Bob Dylan in the harmonica of ‘These Four Walls’. There are soft ballads, with splashes of violin and viola from the excellent Lauren MacColl. A very enjoyable, if occasionally melancholy listen.