Album Review: Escapement by Poppy Ackroyd

Words by Duane Clawson

Occasionally when I go to my inbox, I’m reminded of Christmas past. Those past Christmas mornings when Santa brought you that surprise gift you didn’t even know you wanted.  Such is the case with the new album from UK composer, Poppy Ackroyd, entitled Escapement.  Dave Clifford of US/THEM Group was kind enough to send me this stunning release.  There are several amazing elements that went into the making of this album. After reading Poppy’s bio, one learns that first off she is a one-woman band.  Starting as a classically trained musician on both piano and violin, Poppy chose to combine these passions in to one beautiful creation.  Poppy utilizes every square inch of both instruments to produce the unique sounds heard on this album.  She undertook the task of arranging, composing, recording, and producing this album herself. She completed the recording process with nothing more than a laptop, digital recorder, speakers. 

 As a sculptor would mold a piece of clay, Poppy painstakingly multi-tracked plucks, scrapes, and taps created via hands and fingers on the frame or inner workings of an abused but restored grand piano.  Each song on this album has layers that unfold with every listen.  Track number two on this album, “Rain”, exploits these layers to their fullest.  Beginning with a field recording of a rain shower in Scotland, “Rain” briefly gives one’s mind shelter from a passing shower through a violin solo. Poppy builds the violin to a crescendo that releases to the equivalent of sad footsteps walking back into the rain.  With each of the seven songs on Escapement, Ms. Ackroyd tells us tales that are open to interpretation and surely worthy of a listen.  Escapement is currently available on CD, Vinyl, and MP3 through Denovali Records.

Contributed by Duane Clawson