The Vagaband are a UK based 8-piece based in Norfolk. Among the instruments they play are fiddle, mandolin, pedal-steel guitar, clarinet, flügelhorn, banjo, squeezebox and piano. They play original song-based roots music; a soulful mix between americana, blues, jazz and rock...

Medicine for the Soul is the follow up to The Vagaband's Town & Country. It's a fun, bouncy album which has its tongue firmly planted in its cheek. The warmth and fun the band obviously have performing comes across on this album's 11 tracks (44 min, 24 sec).

The album kicks off with the trippy 'Top Of The Morning', before delivering a more folky sound with 'Lifted'... and then the whole world of sanity slips away as Hillbilly anthem 'Black Sheep' bashes into your ears. 'Gabrielle', is very similar in style to 'Black Sheep', offering a fast-paced folk anthem.

If you're looking to dip your toe in The Vagaband's world, I'd probably start with 'Cisco Wine', which is probably this album's most mainstream track.

It's a fun, upbeat album that's certainly worthy of your time. I suspect that this is a band that is best when seen live, as a lot of the tracks here have a raw energy that are great on the album, but I'm sure will comes across a lot better in a live setting.

8

Nick Smithson