“Children Of The War” by Foxy Leopard is a quiet study of the aftermath of war. The song looks at the wake of the American Civil War, rather than the war itself, and is more about the people who are left behind, with the war’s memories, loss and pain lingering far beyond the soldiers have gone home.
The music reflects that from the get-go. The steel-body resonator guitar lends the opening a dry and slightly used feel, the muted percussion also provides a slow, steady beat. The harmonica lends a bit of sadness to the track and gives it an old folk and Americana quality without the dramatic.
Another fine aspect of the recording is the raspy male vocal. It’s naturally aged and weathered, and the words in the song still resonate through. The voice doesn’t need to be overdone, since it has the weight of the story.
During the progression of the song, the guitar starts to dominate and the tempo becomes a bit faster. This shift adds the element of motion to “Children Of The War,” as though the quiet looking at the end of the first section were starting to shift into what is to be said.
The less than perfect children’s choir, string noise, breathes and loose timing also contribute to the character of the recording. Foxy Leopard doesn’t put the finishing touches on everything; they leave some of the grime off and that makes the song seem more human.
It’s a thoughtful folk rock song with a great atmosphere, honest vocals with an arrangement that knows when to hold back and when to push forwards.
