THE BEAR'S REVENGE

The Moulettes in this incarnation are a predominantly acoustic five-piece, dominated by superb vocal harmonies, cello, bassoon and violin, with excellent support from the rhythm section. The album starts with a single lone high note followed by gentle picked guitar and melodic vocals. Then a bodhran picks up the rhythm for a repetition of the main theme, while the chorus is driven by punchy harmonies, drums, acoustic strumming and handclaps, ending with a low moody cello line. The rest of the song is marked throughout by weaving violin lines and other well-placed instrumental flourishes from the whole band - 'a symphony of colour and sound' as the song says, and pretty much setting the scene for the whole album. Other highlights include 'Uca's Dance', 'Songbird' and the wonderfully progressive 'Unlock The Doors' - one of the most exciting and energetic pieces I've heard in a long time.