First release from one of the only true contemporary artists actually achieving the sound of the English folk revival. A fusion of traditional British folk ballads with elements of psychedelic rock, occasionally bordering on a doom-laden garage sound recalling the great acid-folk bands of the late 60's/early 70's.
E**R
Not yet there
I first have bought the second CD from this new Folk-Outfit and I was very pleased with its easygoing approach to those well known gems and hymns. Here on their first CD, the young disciples are still trying to define their sound. Everything sounds rather muted, held back and hesitant. For my taste, still owning all the early Steeleye, Fairport, Young Tradition, you-name-it-LPs, it's a too tame a business. So start with their second offering, and you will be rewarded with a real treat!
K**E
Three Stars
its ok
P**E
Five Stars
really good
S**H
Five Stars
well performed trad folk
R**N
Astonishing
'Garland of Song' is a truly astonishing album. If you like the English Folk Rock scene of the late sixties and early seventies, this is for you. At the same time it is it's own thing.Even if you are jaded with folk music, this will wake you up. A fresh sounding album, that needs to be heard by more people.Buy it now! Simply Beautiful.
B**E
Pretty much flawless
This was my introduction to acid folk, and the likes of ISB & Comus, and have to say that The Owl Service MORE than hold their own amongst the greats they've introduced me to.Beyond that do investigate the solo works of Owl Service members Jason Steel and Nancy Wallace.
T**Q
She wants to be flowers and you make her owls
Lucky enough to have lived with this since the limited private press I can attest to its perfect distillation of all that is psych/wyrd/acid/call-it-what-you-will folk.The passion and attention to detail separates the album from pastiche making it seem more like a long lost relic vying for a spot with Trees' 'On The Shore' & Fairport's 'Liege & Lief' in the pantheon of great folk rock.It would be churlish to single out individual tracks - each one is as natural as breathing, ranging from beautiful trad sounds to Sunno)))esque drone & sitar ragas. As disparate as these influences may sound, it all hangs together beautifully creating a peerless bucolic soundtrack.An essential listen for those keeping an eye (and ear) on the progression of the folk tradition.
A**E
The new folk revival revived
You remember that Doctor Who story, The Daemons? This could have been the soundtrack. Unashamedly 70s in feel, but with plenty of modern sensibilities, this takes english folk by the scruff of the neck and gives it a jolly good talking to. It's spooky, it's got girls singing on it who are undoubtedly shot in soft folkus, there's Fairport guitars and nods to the great folk revivalists galore for those who know, and if they do know they probably don't mind. But this is no fake or pastiche, it's real music. Reminds me of Mr. Fox, amongst other things, and that's not bad. It loses a star, only just, because it could have been better produced, but it's a DIY effort and in that respect, it's very superior. Oh, just buy the thing, what am I getting picky for. Lovely.
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