John Webster Johns - John Webster Johns
[Attacknine Records]

Released by Attacknine Records (an offshoot from influential American label Darla), this self titled debut album from John Webster Johns is a compilation of selected home recorded tracks from the past two years, written and produced in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Chicago. For a debut release, John Webster Johns displays all the intimate qualities of a genuine and original solo artist.

The album compiles 18 short pieces which blend effortlessly into one lengthy trip of varying genres, baffling sounds and experimental compositions. The majority of songs are based around sketchy guitar plucking and Johns' serene vocal chords; but to add a playful edge and offer something fairly off-kilter, the songs alter course midway, changing into film score soundtracks, ambience, ghostly sounds, feedback and an anything goes ethos.

This intimate, down-to-earth rustic feel of the album is further increased after being masked underneath a lo-fi production, which makes the whole sound like it could have recorded in a padded and submerged in a swamp. There's also a lack of consistency which only adds to the diversity of the album, as intrument swopping almost becomes his trademark.

Reference points can be made to The Ivytree, Drowsy, John Stammers, Lone Pigeon and Ariel Pink. Along with these artists, John Webster Johns creates lo-fi twisted folk, daring to challenge the norm and break the mould, whilst remaining utterly accesible. An essential album of 2005 and a must for any future-folk fan.