James Yorkston and the Athletes - Just Beyond the River

James Yorkston And The Athletes' second full-length album, Just Beyond The River is just as enchanting and haunting as their first, 2002's wonderful Moving Up Country. Maybe even more so, thanks to a stronger batch of songs and Kieran Hebden of Four Tet's wonderfully atmospheric production. Unlike far too many practitioners of indie neo-folk who seem to regard melody and dynamics as minor annoyances to be brushed aside, Yorkston and his crew embrace them. There is a fragile beauty and grace to Yorkston's songs, and the arrangements caress and encourage his tender voice on lovely songs like "Heron," the soaring "Surf Song," "Hermitage," and the album's high point, the sprawling epic "Shipwreckers," which finds the band spiraling out like a sober Pogues. Read More