The Cornshed Sisters - Tell Tales

steelasophical

Review by Gary Trotman

Tell Tales by The Cornshed Sisters: A Raw, Folk-Infused Punch to the Ears Alright, let’s get one thing straight—Tell Tales isn’t your polished, overproduced indie album that sounds like it was made in some sterile studio with a checklist of trends. Nah, this is something else entirely. Released back in 2012 by The Cornshed Sisters—a killer foursome from the UK—they’ve stitched together an album so full of heart and grit you’ll wanna grab your hiking boots and run through a field shouting lyrics at random strangers. It’s got rock, folk, world vibes, acoustic twangs, and enough British charm to make you forget Brexit ever happened. First off, let’s talk genres because there are a lot. You’ve got Alternative/Indie Rock rubbing shoulders with Contemporary Folk, Neo-Traditional Folk doing its thing alongside Acoustic Indie Pop, and even hints of British Folk sneaking around like tea smugglers. But somehow, it all works. Like peanut butter on toast, messy but delicious. And Memphis Industries? Props for letting these gals loose without trying to slap a mainstream filter on their sound. Now onto the tracks. I’m not gonna sit here listing every single song (ain’t nobody got time for that), but two tracks hit me hard enough to stick in my brain longer than most things released in the last decade. "Mad Tom Of Bedlam" – Bonkers Good This track kicks off like someone dropped acid in medieval England then decided to write a tune about it. It's weirdly hypnotic, with harmonies layered thick as Yorkshire pudding batter. Marie’s vocals soar above everything else, raw and untamed, while Liz bangs away on the piano like she’s late for choir practice. Then there’s Cath thumping out percussion like she means business. Honestly, if you don’t find yourself humming “Mad Tom” under your breath after hearing it once, check your pulse—you might be dead. "Dance At My Wedding" – Tearjerker Alert No joke, this song hits different. Stripped-down instrumentation lets Jennie’s ukulele strumming shine, backed up by haunting vocal harmonies that feel like they’re coming straight from a ghost story told round a campfire. There’s no fancy production tricks here—just pure emotion dripping off every word. By the end, you’ll either want to call your ex or start planning your own wedding just so you can play this during the first dance. Either way, prepare for feels. The rest of the album follows suit: stripped-back yet intricate, emotional but never sappy. Tracks like “If You Were Mine” and “Pies For The Fair” bring clever storytelling and quirky humor, while deeper cuts like “When Doves Cry” showcase how tight-knit this band really is. Oh yeah, did I mention they covered Prince? Yeah, THAT Prince. Bold move, but damn if they didn’t pull it off. And props where they’re due—the credits read like a DIY dream team. Peter Brewis nailed the recording, David Brewis mastered the hell outta it, and Kate Sweeney’s painting slapped right onto the cover art. Even Lucy Coggle on bodhrán added those little flourishes that make you go, “Wait…what IS that instrument?” So yeah, Tell Tales ain’t perfect. Sometimes it stumbles into overly twee territory, and sure, not every track lands perfectly. But when it works, it REALLY works. This album feels alive in ways most modern releases don’t—it’s got dirt under its nails and stories etched into its soul. Reflection time: Listening to Tell Tales makes me wonder why we spend so much energy chasing slick perfection in music these days. Maybe it’s okay to leave rough edges sometimes—to embrace imperfection instead of sanding it down till it’s boring. Or maybe I’m just drunk on nostalgia for a time I wasn’t even alive for. Who knows? Anyway, give this album a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up crying in your kitchen while baking pies for no reason.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: the-cornshed-sisters-tell-tales.zip
  • MP3 size: 51.2 mb
  • FLAC size: 912 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Farther Along4:29
Pies For The Fair2:29
If You Were Mine3:42
Little Bird4:00
Soft White3:46
Tommy2:19
Sail To Me5:01
The Beekeeper
Ocelot Song3:27
The Bee Keeper3:53
One By One3:40
Dance At My Wedding4:15
Mr Sellack3:56
Dresden3:41
Mad Tom Of Bedlam2:23
When Doves Cry3:39

Video

The Cornshed Sisters - Dance At My Wedding

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • MI0214LP
  • MI0214CD, MI0214CDRT (Bonus CD)
  • MI0214CD
  • MI0214CDP

Labels

Memphis Industries

Listen online

  • kuunnella verkossa
  • online anhören
  • escuchar en línea
  • ouvir online
  • écouter en ligne
  • lyssna på nätet
  • lytte på nettet
  • ascolta in linea
  • online luisteren

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • White
  • CD
  • Album CD
  • Limited Edition
  • Rough Trade Edition Bonus
  • Promo

Companies

RoleCompany
Phonographic Copyright (p)Memphis Industries
Copyright (c)Memphis Industries
Published ByCopyright Control

Credits

RoleCredit
Arranged ByThe Cornshed Sisters
BodhránLucy Coggle
LayoutKev Dosdale
Mastered ByDavid Brewis
PaintingKate Sweeney
Photography ByIan West
Recorded ByPeter Brewis
VocalsMarie
GuitarMarie
BassCath
PercussionCath
PianoLiz
WashboardLiz
UkuleleJennie
DrumsCath

Notes

  • Includes printed inner sleeve with album credits, lyrics, and download code.
  • Regular CD with booklet including lyrics. In Rough Trade Shops, early purchasers could get a free bonus CD in Cardboard Sleeve featuring covers & traditionals renditions.
  • CD in card cover stickered front & back with tracklist & promo blurb

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 5060146093293
  • Label Code: LC13549

About The Cornshed Sisters

Ladies of 4 part harmony folky pop Members: Jennie - singing, guitar and ukelele Cath - singing, guitar Liz - singing, piano Marie - singing, guitar

Name Vars

  • Cornshed Sisters

Members

  • Marie Nixon
  • Jennie Redmond
  • Cath Stephens
  • Liz Corney

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The Cornshed Sisters' album *Tell Tales* blends a bunch of genres like folk, rock, and indie pop, but what really stands out is the unique mix of instruments. You’ve got your standard guitar, bass, and drums, sure, but they also throw in a washboard, a ukulele, and even a bodhrán—a traditional Irish drum. It’s this quirky combination that gives the album its warm, homegrown feel. Oh, and fun fact: two tracks are named after bees—“The Beekeeper” and “The Bee Keeper.” Looks like someone on the team had a thing for pollinators!

Comments

ernestomartinez9
2025-03-14
great band great tune
conservatory44
2025-03-13
This would be a great band to womad, for international expouseure !
katonhoki
2025-03-13
Great track, thanks to Paddy MacDee for bringing them to a wider audience