Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
It is almost seen as a rite of passage, the sense of returning to a place where the traditional encompasses the message of despair, of hope being removed by darker conglomerate forces, and the song that catches the feeling of tough times being endured by resilient men and women in the perpetual struggle to be free.
Too often, indeed perhaps at all times, these songs have found a way to show the common good to be overwhelmed, ransacked, a tale that finds its way to consistently one of fire but no progress; and yet there are moments in history when the devil in the guise of big business is given its rightful bloodied nose. How often do the artists in question manage to celebrate, commemorate and put in place the earned respect of those who can shout to others and inspire the downcast with a simple phrase, “We Have Won The Land”.
The stirring new album from Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie is one of triumph in the face of unrepentant capitalism, a tale set to music and inspired by a crofter’s buy out of the North Lochinver Estate by the Assynt Crofter’s Trust, and far from being opportunistic, it is a humble and moving set of aural pictures given life, portraying the strength that comes in numbers when you overturn a wrong.
Uplifting, inspiring, but absolutely in tune with honesty and humility, We Have Won The Land sees tracks, personal vignettes, such as Stating Intentions, The First Bid, Who Possesses The Land, and This Is Ours, bring forth this initial collaboration between two of the U.K.’s much loved young traditional artists in such a way that is hauntingly beautiful and searingly candid. A movement of like-minded souls determined to spread the word to the world on how joining forces against the greed of business can lead to freedom.
A passionate, sincere album, and one that captures a moment in time that can lead to others taking back what is rightfully theirs.
Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie release We Have Won The Land on Friday 22nd April via Rumley Sounds.
Ian D. Hall