Album Review: Tinariwen - Elwan

"Adversity," Shakespeare once wrote, "like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head."

Elwan demonstrates The Bard's wisdom, as tragic circumstance have spurred Tinariwen on to creating their most vital album in years. Having been effectively exiled from their mountainous Saharan homeland, Tinariwen hook up with the likes of Mark Lanegan and Kurt Vile, whose guitar snaps in perfectly with their overall sound. There's a tangible sense of loss on songs such as Talyat but also adventure on psychedelic high plains drifters such as Nannuflay.