THE LIGHT OF THE MOON may not be the first release by emerging Scottish folk quartet Gnoss, but it could be the one that catapults them into a similar realm of peers such as Skerryvore, Rura, and going back a wee bit further, Runrig. A common feature of all these bands is a capable blend of high octane traditional fanfare awash with fiddles, pipes, whistles and strings coupled with finely crafted musicianship from some of most talented players scattered across all points north of the border.
From an inflated dozen tracks (basically eleven plus a short sub-minute prelude), the band filter in a bias towards the tunes with seven instrumental pieces almost doubling the four songs that generally showcase the slightly mellower side of Gnoss. The full complement of songs and tunes are all original compositions, yet this release checking in just shy of forty minutes often has that well worn traditional feel. There is a common thread of dedications among the titles with 'Gordon's', 'Alister and Katrina's', 'Becky's' and 'Adelaide's' all tipping their hat to real life inspirations. To add a little twist, band member and driving force on the string input, Graham Rorie chooses a catchphrase for one dedicated to his dad, so 'That's Me' closes things out to seal Gnoss's building impact.
Song titles and album titbits apart, the true treat of engaging with this album lies in its exhilarating presence punctuated by more serene moments of vocalist Aidan Moodie guiding you across a freshly sowed field awaiting the fruits of the upcoming harvest. The pick of the songs is the free and easy chorus adorning second track 'The River' closely followed by the climactic descriptor 'Sun That Hugs the Ocean'. On the tune front, the frenetically foot stomping 'Good Crieff' leads the way alongside the fiddle-led 'Tuction' lending its title from the Orcadian word bank.
One final nugget of relatable album trivia is that Scott Wood from Skerryvore assisted with the producing, and it is that band that niggles away in the mind when listening to the combination of songs and tunes from Gnoss. Maybe the songs aren't truly in the same ear worm territory as those recently recorded by their compatriots, but a mutual feeling of compatibility rings true. THE LIGHT OF THE MOON settles into its niche quickly and whether you are hooked on its high tempo frenzy or calmer moments of blissful song craft, the album competes well to move Gnoss up a couple of notches on the lofty Scottish folk ladder.