THE BOOK OF INVASIONS - A CELTIC SYMPHONY

The book of invasions is Horslips' masterpiece, a concept album that is musically varied and cohesive from beginning to end. From the clarion call that opens "Daybreak" to the gently plucked notes that follow the stormy "Ride to Hell", this is celtic rock at its best. It could rightly claim to have influenced the next generation of rooted British Isles bands with attitude, like the Pogues, the Men they Couldn't Hang, Runrig, and Oysterband. While more rock folk than prog folk, this does not matter where a work of quality is concerned.

As mentioned, the CD as a whole is excellent, but to pick favourites is easy too: "March into Trouble" and how it leads into the superb flute riff of "Trouble with a Capital T", that will stay with you all day; "The Power and the Glory" with its catchy organ figure and chorus; the Byrds-like "The Rocks Remain"; "King of Morning, Queen of Day" and its fine electric piano and harpsichord, not to mention another rousing chorus; and the wistful almost bluesy ballad "Sideways to the Sun" blending into the cracking rocker "Ride to Hell"..

While reverent semi-traditional melodies abound, one key feature of the Horslips sound is how they really rocked, more than almost any folk oriented band of their era. At least in North America, even those familiar with the group often could not name a single band member. This reflected their team approach rather than any lack of distinctiveness. I recommend you allow this classic 70s album to invade your collection.