Folklore Stories is an intimate, acoustic-driven folk album that finds Mike Quick turning everyday moments into modern myth. Stripped of excess and rich in sincerity, the record weaves personal reflection, social conscience, and spiritual curiosity into a collection of quietly powerful songs that feel lived-in and honest. From self-aware wit to contemplative storytelling, Quick delivers narratives that don’t shout for attention but linger long after the final note. Folklore Stories captures the essence of folk music at its core: human, thoughtful, and rooted in truth, inviting listeners to slow down, listen closely, and find pieces of their own stories within the songs.
1. Return To The Stars (2:59)
Now, this is how you kick off a record! A compelling opener that immediately sets the tone for the album. Warm acoustic guitar and evocative vocal melodies make this feel like an invitation on a quiet night by the fireside. The song blends introspective lyrics with a hopeful reach toward something beyond, like a reflection on personal journeys and aspirations.
Feel: Dreamy introspection
Overall: Warm finger-picking paired with an earnest vocal delivery
2. ICE Tras las Mascara (3:11)
This track stands out for its intriguing title and rhythmic feel. The title suggests a theme of uncovering truths or hidden selves. Musically, it carries a little more bounce than the opener, with playful guitar interplay that feels like peeling back layers both in life and emotion.
Feel: Slightly mysterious
Overall: Melodic hooks that stick with you
3. NRA No Friend Of Mine (3:06)
Here, the music gets a bit more pointed lyrically. The music supports the message with a steady, earnest delivery that doesn’t feel preachy but sincere, inviting reflection on societal divisions and personal convictions.
Feel: Thoughtful and socially aware
Overall: Clear, direct lyrical stance
4. Grace & God (3:03) — with Shankh Lahiri (tabla & backing vocals)
A unique pivot on the album, enriched by Shankh Lahiri’s tabla rhythms and additional vocal textures. This song feels spiritual without being solemn, like a meditation on faith, grace, or finding peace in the small things.
Feel: Meditative
Overall: Tabla parts that elevate the folk framework
5. Indian Killer (3:47)
Tough and evocative, this title conjures a narrative with historical or personal weight. Quick’s acoustic storytelling here feels cinematic — like an old folk tale or a modern retelling of a struggle for identity and justice. The pacing allows space for the lyrics to land with real impact.
Feel: Serious and narrative-driven
Overall: Compelling storytelling
6. Robin’s Song (4:05)
A gentler offering, this track feels like a love letter...maybe literal, maybe symbolic. With one of the longest run times on the record, it luxuriates in melody and sentiment, giving space for emotion and tenderness to unfold naturally.
Feel: Warm and affectionate
Overall: Heartfelt
7. Folklore Stories (2:49)
The title track is concise but sharp — an acoustic distillation of the album’s themes of memory, myth, and personal history. It feels like the emotional anchor of the collection, connecting the disparate tales into a shared theme of searching for meaning.
Feel: Reflective and thematic
Overall: It'll stay with you after
8. I’d Like To (2:53)
Simple but sincere, this song feels like a confession or a heartfelt wish. The economy of lyrics paired with uncluttered guitar gives an intimate, almost conversational feel, like Mike is singing directly to you in a small room.
Feel: Soft and earnest
Overall: Intimate
9. Don’t Fall In Love With An Artist (3:19)
A wry, self-aware piece that plays with the trope of the tortured, moody creative. Musically jaunty yet lyrically knowing, it’s one of the more playful moments on the record with equal parts charm and cautionary wisdom.
Feel: Playful
Overall: Clever, self-referential lyrics
10. Throw It Away (4:13)
Standing among the lengthier tracks, this one feels like a turning point — a plea to let go of burdens or regrets. Its slightly melancholic arrangement and lyrical introspection give it a cathartic sweep, a place where the emotional arc of the album bends toward acceptance.
Feel: Melancholic
Overall: Sweeping sense of release
11. Haves & Have Nots (3:19)
A socially conscious song that draws clear lines about inequality or imbalance. There’s a rooted folk spirit here that carries the message with dignity rather than accusation with acoustic textures that make the listener ponder rather than push back.
Feel: Grounded and socially aware
Overall: Balanced storytelling
12. Gas Was A $1.89 (2:40)
A delightful title for a short, punchy track that plays like a vignette from a bygone era, maybe playing with nostalgia and how we remember simpler times. Its brisk tempo and wry charm make it one of the more memorable ear worms here.
Feel: Nostalgic
Overall: Ear worm chorus
13. Life On Mars Peace On Earth (3:14)
A poetic closer that interweaves longing for wonder with hope for common good . It wraps the album in a reflective but optimistic tone, leaving you thinking beyond the footsteps of the final notes.
Feel: Poetic and hopeful
Overall: Thoughtful ending
Highlights:
“Grace & God” — a hauntingly beautiful fusion of folk and global rhythm.
“Don’t Fall In Love With An Artist” — clever and memorable.
“Folklore Stories” — this one will stick in your head and the vocals are spot on and almost Leonard Cohen-like.
“Life On Mars Peace On Earth” — thoughtful and perfect album closer.
This album feels like a stripped-down, reflective cornerstone.
It’s less about production and more about voice and perspective
It feels intentionally intimate — almost like a solo campfire record
The songwriting leans heavily on clarity over cleverness
Folklore Stories is a place where politics, spirituality, humor, and memory coexist naturally
This is an album for:
Late-night listening
Long drives without talking
People who like lyrics that sit with them rather than impress them
Folks who value honesty over polish