I feel I should warn you guys about the dangers of folk music. You may feel, like I once did, that you would never be stupid enough to get into folk. I mean, we’ve all seen those sad bearded fools delirious on the joys of hard accordion, and thought “I’ll never let that happen to me!�

Well, I’m here to tell you. It can happen. It happened to me.

I started off as many rock folk do, y’know a bit of New Model Army, a couple of Levellers' albums. It’s not really “folk,� I told myself. It’s so heavy! I thought I could handle it. I thought I could keep it under control. Then before I knew it, I was enjoying a regular dose of Kate Rusby and downloading Nick Drake albums. It took me a while before I admitted to myself I was hooked.

My name is Tony Reptiles and I have a folk music habit.

There. I said it. And it feels good!

So when the new CD by Roddy Woomble landed in my mailbox, I thought I was saved. Roddy is the lead singer of Scottish rock band Idlewild, which is well known for their loud, abrasive,punk rock sound. “No folk fix here, then!� I thought.

I should have known better by the picture on the sleeve. “FECK OFF!!!!� he seems to be saying from beneath his beard and thick knit beanie hat. Sorry Roddy, here, have a beer! You’re alright you are! You’re my best mate you are!

I slipped the CD into the machine and sat down with the media notes. Then it hit me. This was folk, alright. Another smooth mellow hit of folk. I eased back into my seat as the fiddle and the accordion took hold of me again.

Although the last few Idlewild albums kind of leaned in this direction, this solo project is something more traditional. “These are songs that would never have lived with Idlewild, but are very much a part of me," says Roddy in the media notes. “I felt like I was part of a new band. This allowed me to feel free to describe myself in a way I’ve wanted to for a long time……and I think it shows.�

The album was two tracks in when I caught myself tapping my foot. “As still as I watched your grave� is a meaty, beaty track where you can still get a sniff of the Roddy’s rock roots. (Should you indeed wish to?) “Whiskyface� is an acoustic fiddle-battering tune that left me wanting more.

But most of this album is pretty mellow and acoustic, and blends into the background easily. I like that in an album. I found myself enjoying the smoothness without having to try too hard. “Waverly steps� would be at home on commercial radio with its melodic vocals and electric guitar. I think I can hear a single release here.

You would certainly need a folk leaning to enjoy this album in its entirety, but I think you should give it a try. There’s something here for discerning the listener and you’ll catch yourself enjoying it - if you can get over the fact that it's folk. There are some great melodies and some excellent musicians at work. They just happen to be a bit folky, that’s all.

Track list after the jump.