Sometimes, amid the emo and indie pop that makes up much of the best-documented Welsh music, it's good get reacquainted with the other side of the coin - bands that plough their own particular furrow without caring much for about passing trends and fads.Rag Foundation have been around for sometime now, touring the live circuit with their brand of acoustic-based music. They've garnered fans from all quarters, but remain something of a hidden gem.This is a shame, because, on the strength of Uplands, they've a fair number of musical tricks up their collective sleeve. Uplands is their third release, after the 1999 debut LP Minka and the South By Southwest EP of 2001. With a beguiling brand of folk-pop, the album also takes in balladry, Van Morrison-style soul and a blend of guitar and harmony rarely heard since the best days of CSNY.Uplands kicks off with Spend It In The Summertime, a jaunty sunshine singalong reminiscent that's just the right antidote to these long winter nights. However, Rag Foundation play in a broad church: with songs such as the low-key Thank You and the achingly pretty Your Company, they forsake the pop for an acoustic-based approach all of their own.It works best, as on Clwb Lullaby, when they set aside any attempts to be upbeat and wallow in their dark side. There, Rag Foundation reach a place uncharted by most bands, where melody and emotion collide and float on the crest of a musical cloud. What's more, we're told they're even better live. Go check them out.
Words: Alys Evans
www.bbc.co.uk
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