Kris Drever's album 'Mark The Hard Earth' may not reach 10,000 people but it is worth sitting on the shelf next to artists like Mumford and Sons, Fleet Foxes and Damien Rice.

As the mainstream music industry goes through its usual cycle of regurgitation, genres that aren't usually considered popular become fashionable. And, at the moment, it's the turn of folk, with the aforementioned bands reaping the rewards. Quite rightly too, as they're excellent. The impression Rivmixx gets from these types of musicians, however, is that they would happily keep writing and playing whether their albums sold to ten or 10,000 people.

Scotland is a hotbed of decent folk musicians, regularly playing gigs in town halls and living rooms, but writing and singing songs of the quality that deserves a wider audience. Bands like Pictish Trail, King Creosote and HMS Ginafore (all part of the cult group of musicians known as Fence Collective) are churning out excellent, passionate music and should be listened to.

A member of cult Scottish band Lau, Drever began experimenting with solo material and soon had enough for an album, releasing 'Black Water' in 2007. He then announced the arrival of his second album at Scottish folk festival Celtic Connections in January and the Gaelic influences are clear.

This follow-up record signals his intent as a solo artist and there is enough quality in this album for people to take note. Drever's songs are filled with stories of love and pain and are as honest as his voice is humble. Stand out tracks are 'Sweet Honey In The Rock', 'The Call And The Answer', and 'Allegory', all of which speak of the narrator's ambition.

'Mark The Hard Earth' is a solid album from a talented individual. Drever will easily carve out a career on the folk music scene, and one suspects he couldn't care how many people buy his album. It does deserve a wider audience though.

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