Thayer Cabin - Thayer Cabin

September 5, 2008

Reviewer: Peter

When it comes to the music scene in the United States, the folk genre as a whole isn’t among the leaders, let alone the metal scene.  So it should come as no surprise that when a band like Agalloch comes along, that many people will take to it because it is unusual to their ears. Following in the footsteps is the Michigan based instrumental folk group Thayer Cabin. On their self-titled debut, while it is strictly a folk album, it takes some of its cues from the best in the genre, past and present, along with some other influences such as movies.

As stated in the beginning, Thayer Cabin is an instrumental folk music group.  Much of the band’s music makeup is based on the acoustic guitar, using both the strumming and picking techniques.  There are also other instruments scattered throughout the album, such as the tambourine, which seems to constitute the majority of the rhythm keeping on the album, and the violin on “Outro”.  The musicianship on the album is excellent, with some nods towards the Flamenco style, as evident on “Snow, Moon, and Birch Trees”, but most of the music on the album is geared more towards creating a backwoods feel.  This, in turn, may make the listener look around and wonder if someone or something is hiding in the woods. The intro to “Cabin 55” seems to be homage to the Italian horror movie Suspiria, as it sounds incredibly similar to one of the music tracks from the movie.  The sound effects used range from a squeaky door on “Cabin 55” to a chainsaw on “Poor Kid Has to Kill”, with some ghostly haunts thrown in for good measure. The use of these effects, however sparse, is well timed and adds more to the atmosphere.  There aren’t any vocals on the album, apart from the haunting chants on “The Last Stand”, “Cheers to Pals”, and “Outro”.  The music is also very catchy, meaning that the listener will undoubtedly be tapping their toes to each rhythm.  There aren’t any hitches on the album, as every note seems to flow smoothly and without any problem.  Even the weakest track on the album, “Dream Land”, does a good job of creating an atmosphere within the listener’s mind, with sounds that could just as easily contradict the song title as the false sense of security gets shattered with each moan. 

Rarely does a debut album truly grab the listener as much as Thayer Cabin’s self-titled debut.  The fact that it connects with the listener right away suggests that the band is doing something right.  Even after many listens, the album remains as fresh to the listener as the first time it is played.  Fans of Agalloch, as well as old-school horror films, should take note of this group.  Overall, there seems to be something for everyone on this album, so no one should feel left out.  Easily one of the top five releases in 2008, if not near the top. Let’s hope that they and their offspring Thayer Tavern get signed to a record label soon.

Release Date: March 2008
Label: Self Released

TRACK LISTING

1.  The Workshop
2.  The Last Stand
3.  Cabin 55
4.  In the Town of Bloodpine
5.  Fog in the Mountains
6.  Cheers to Pals
7.  Phillip
8.  Poor Kid Has to Kill
9.  Hatchet Jack
10.  Dream Land
11.  The Gathering
12.  Big Bear Tavern
13.  Snow, Moon, and Birch Trees
14.  Drink Up Men
15.  Outro

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