MICE AND RATS IN THE LOFT

Well hello! The first time I listened to this record I swear I was freaked, you know this thing is strange, challenging and complex. After some listens I could really see what it was. Most people compare this one to Comus' First Utterance, but the only reason they do that is because neither Mice And Rats nor First Utterance can be compared to any record. They are completely unique, there is not even an exact genre or label that could describe them (apart form prog folk, many people call them "acid folk"). Man they cannot be even compared with the other albums of the same band. But hey we are talking about Jan Dukes de Grey isn't it? I adore this album. I simply love the way this album is made. I mean, we get to experience and know the band in three different styles, and the three of them are amazing! Sun Symphonica is the more symphonic side of the band. Just see the instruments they use on it: flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin, I could swear I also hear a bassoon and a cello. Derek Noy's voice is dreadful, but I think this spices the record up, just like Comus vocals (could Noy sing as he does on purpose?). I love the last part with vocals, is like an intense reprise of the first instrumental part. This 19 minute suite predates Supper's Ready, Close To The Edge and Thick As a Brick, so we get a plus! And so we move on. Call Of The Wild is their folky song, and what a song this is! Acoustic guitar is at the top, there are not so many voices and drums arrive late, but still this is another mindblow, such playing skills, and there is nice flute at the end. This could be my favorite song on the album. The title track is the last one, and it is their "heavy" psych side. We get more electric guitar on this one, the song repeats a theme on and on, but this is really good! Vocals arrive periodically, and some different parts arrive to cut the theme for a while, but still returns, mand I could listen to this all day! This is something you have to get now.

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