While we wait for a new album from Bibio, due early next year, it is a pleasure to explore the reissue of his first album ‘Fi’, where the foundations for his current work are laid. What is immediately obvious is the almost complete lack of percussion, which gives us a chance to enjoy Bibio’s ear for colour and texture, which works by channelling the spirit of British folk pop greats such as Nick Drake and Fairport Convention without ever making explicit reference to their work. There are some lovely atmospherics that are applied sensitively with the studio brush, the crackles of noise and gently cut guitar riffs making evocative sound sketches. When the beats are used you notice them, such as the lightly bruised beat that backs ‘It Was Willow’, while the scratchy guitars and atmospherics of ‘At The Chase’ and especially ‘Lakeside’ show the warmth Bibio achieves in his music. The best is saved until last, the expansive ‘Poplar Avenue (Uncut)’ setting a beautiful atmosphere. Quintessentially English, but with a streak of unpredictability that has served Bibio really well across his seven (!) albums. This is where it all started in 2004, so do invest if you haven’t already.
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
{http://soundcloud.com/bibio/puffer}
