STEVE ABEL’s debut, Little Death, was one of the surprise hits of 2006. With its campfire feel and warmth, it almost beat Bonnie Prince Billy at his own game. Two years later, Flax Happy is a fuller-sounding album, while still retaining its gentle Americana feel. At its heart is Abel’s tender acoustic strum and part-mumbled, brooding baritone, off which the Chrysalids – Goldenhorse’s Geoff Maddock (guitar) and Goodshirt’s Gareth Thomas (accordion and keys), especially add lofty textures that make this a journey worth taking. As in the rising anger of Crushed Ants, where emotions run high as love’s course is truly spent – “I hope you die a little sooner”, Abel sings as Maddock’s sustained notes cut through the air. Abel also has a friend in Texan Jolie Holland, who duets with him on the sublime Heart of Misery (The Bough) and Cinders of the Sun, both bitter-sweet folk numbers played out against a haunting violin and acoustic picking. Once again, Abel’s taken a step back to reflect, and this dreamy album of pensive ballads is worth taking time to discover.
* * * * ½ (4.5 stars)