New Folk NFR 0492 (2008)

“Concurrent with the revivification of the wonderful Celtic rock bad Boiled in Lead, frontman Todd Menton also found time to cut yet another great solo album, called The Dolmen Field. Menton cross-pollinates subtle mandolins and whistles with in-your-face electric guitars, squeaky harmonicas, rumbling didgeridoos and industrial percussion for a unique poly-cultural experience.

There is a Springsteen-ish take on the traditional “Peggy Gordon,” (complete with “Born to Run” -reminiscent glockenspiel), the lead-like urban dirge of “Johnny Cope/The Kerry Huntsman.” and a powerful unaccompanied rendition of “Bonny Light Horseman.” Menton’s tastes are indeed diverse. He also displays his fine acoustic playing on songs such as “Hills of Connemara,” the beautiful “Damselfly,” and a set of reels called “Kevin’s Carousel/Emma Bull’s,” the latter dedicated to the fantasy writer and fellow Minnesotan.

The album’s title track is a bodhrán-propelled, spoken-word piece about an extraordinary visit to the Brownie’s Hill Dolmen in Ireland. The CD ends with two versions of the traditional “Bold Riley,” one carried just by the voices of Menton and the Mass Morris chorus and one entrenched in feed-back-soaked electric guitar.” -Dirty Linen Review – July/August ’09 #142

This recording features six original compositions along with six traditional pieces arranged only as Todd Menton can. In true genre-crossing fashion, Todd has crossed delicate mandolins and whistles with the percussive sounds of the industrial drum ensemble Savage Aural Hotbed, and he has mixed snarling electric guitars with a brass band (The Brass Messengers)—all alongside his powerfully written and played folk ballads. Where Will You Land is a landmark recording from this truly gifted artist.

The debut solo recording from Todd Menton. Todd has recorded a selection of 10 songs and two-tune sets that have been mainstays of his live show over the past few years. This disc includes everything from such standards as “The Blacksmith” to a brilliant rendition of Richard Thompson’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning.” Recorded live in the studio with just a few overdubs, it is a bare bones recording that showcases Todd’s impressive vocal and instrumental talents. It also demonstrates his unique interpretation of traditional and modern folk songs. Punts is an excellent first effort, with more to follow.