The Balky Mule - 'The Length of the Rail' (Fat Cat) Released 16/03/09

Better known for their ever emerging, popularising and esoteric signings, Fatcat Records have been known for taking a chance on their arcane sense for left-field instrumental acts in recent years, acquiring a great deal of industry acclaim in fostering such talent as Vishti Bunyan, Sigus Ros and Animal Collective respectively; therefore, it will come as no surprise that UK ex-patriot Sam Jones’ endeavors as The Balky Mule with ‘The Length of the Rail’ is an idiosyncratic addition to the group.

Residing in Melbourne, Australia since 2006, this is multi-instrumentalist Jones’ first physical release in nearly nine years under the alias. The bedroom-based recordings of his eponymous debut album appears to only have been released for keepsake value on his own Archipelago record label in 2000, only really finding its way into a small number of friends’ hands and the muted attention of industry-types.

Despite the clear dormitory confinement to which ‘The Length of the Rail’ was created, The Balky Mule on the whole shows a fair amount of complexity and dexterity within his fragmented and unassuming arrangements. Opener “Dust Bath Birds” thumbs its way through a beautifully mellow acoustic guitar pattern with Sam’s daydream narrative vocal in accompaniment is nothing but endearing upon first listen, cajoling a certain sense of serenity within the listener; but it is the accumulation of sound that is layered, often surreptitiously, within its arrangement that really draws with its lo-fi appeal and willingness to be creative that is felt throughout the album.