Expect sweet harmonies, lazy southern beats and… well, a mandolin. Mandolin Orange come to Berlin on Saturday as part of their latest European tour.
In 2009, songwriter Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz teamed up to form the folk/bluegrass duo Mandolin Orange. Since then, they have been steadily building a loyal fan base in the states and here in Europe.
There are no fillers or superficial songs here.
Having signed with Yep Roc Records in 2013, Mandolin Orange have gone from strength to strength. Their latest album, Blindfaller, is clearly their best yet. There are no fillers or superficial songs here. Every single song has as much depth as it has charm.
Marlin’s lyrics have shifted along with the shifting face of modern America. Like many fellow American songwriters, his newest album contains reactions to the problems arising each day in the States.
“Gospel Shoes” (as just one example) takes a pretty hard line against the manipulation of religion for political ends. Marlin sings, “Freedom was a simple word, so reverent and true | A long time ago, it meant the right to choose | Who you love and how to live, but now it’s so misused | And twisted by the politics of men in gospel shoes”.
This truly American music takes dead aim at some truly American problems.
This commentary is still set to the familiar folksy music of the American south and somehow hits harder because of this. This truly American music takes dead aim at some truly American problems.
Mandolin Orange’s music is faithful to their North Carolina roots, but they bring lyrical thoughtfulness and genuine musicianship to the familiar styles. Marlin’s music features lots of tight harmonies, and really shows off the pair’s voices.
