Artist: Fairport Convention Album: Unhalfbricking

Year: 1969
Duration: 0:0-1

Fairport Convention's Unhalfbricking: A Critic's Love Letter

Fairport Convention is a band that no doubt provided essential contributions to the British folk-rock movement from 1967 through 1979. And among their albums, Unhalfbricking is commonly considered one of their finest. The album received critical acclaim for its innovation and fluidity, thanks to the band's excellent musicality and skill in songwriting. However, the album still maintained its heart and traditional roots, making it a vital record for music enthusiasts in the genre. So let's dive in and take a critical review of what makes Unhalfbricking such an impactful and compelling album.

History of the artist and the album:

The Fairport Convention band originated in London, England, in 1967 as a six-piece band. The band's originators intended to merge psychedelic rock with traditional English folk music, and they accomplished this on Unhalfbricking, their third album, released in 1969. The album was the band's breakout debut and established their eventual sound - a mix of traditional songs, covers, and original material, with Richard Thompson's classic guitar work serving as an essential component throughout.

Genre of the album:

The genre of the album, folk-rock, was a growing movement in the UK during the late 1960s, emphasizing traditional music played with modern instruments and a rock 'n roll delivery. This movement was not unique to the UK, but it became a breeding ground for experimentation that extended far beyond the traditional American folk revival of earlier periods. Unhalfbricking exemplified a unique and different aspect of the movement, paving the way for a new stream of English folk-rock.

Best songs of the album:

The album contains eight tracks, with a total time of thirty-three minutes. All tracks on the album have an equal quality to them, with none overtly seeking to be the standout. However, the most memorable pieces include Who Knows Where the Time Goes? and Autopsy. The first song, the best song on the album, is a personal favorite of mine. Sandy Denny's tender vocals, along with the band's folk-rock instrumental, provides for a magical experience of emotion and nostalgia. On the other hand, Autopsy provides a contrast to the previous track, with its jarring tones, punctuated by the roaring guitar of Richard Thompson.

The most innovative parts:

The most innovative contribution of the album is how it combined British traditional music with rock instrumentation, leaning heavily on folk but interpreting it through contemporary music's lens. Each song has an unobtrusive but well-constructed and intricate arrangement, fine-tuned to evoke the very essence of the songs. The band's ability to fuse mandolin, dulcimer, and even a French horn, with various guitars and drums, testifies to their musical prowess and ability. It is worth mentioning that this album provides the first examples of Sandy Denny's famously pristine vocals, something that proved invaluable for the later works of the band.

A critic to the album:

From a critical perspective, one possible flaw in Unhalfbricking is its relative lack of thematic and musical diversity. Some music enthusiasts could perceive the album as giving more of the same track after track, even though each is executed uniquely. However, this perspective neglects the album's merits, as it captures a moment in time and provides a resounding celebration of British traditional music and folk-rock through its brilliant lyrics and passionate vocal delivery.

Fairport Convention's Unhalfbricking is one of the finest albums to emerge from the British folk-rock era, with its sublime melodies, rich arrangements, and assured musicianship. It features many highlights, such as Sandy Denny's hauntingly beautiful vocal performances and Richard Thompson's superb soloing that makes it a musical masterpiece. The album offers a charming and rhapsodic display of British folk-rock that still resonates with lovers of traditional English music today. So, if you find yourself wanting to experience the finest of the British folk-rock genre, then listening to Unhalfbricking is an excellent place to start.