ANGELS OF PECKHAM RYE

Dished out with a great range of stylistical ingredients THE WOOD DEMONS have stringed a superb chain of songs here on their full-fledged debut album. They are residing in London, I'm quite sure. In any case you will find a railway station named Peckham Rye situated in the south of the city. And so the album's story deals with a legendary vision the famous British poet William Blake supposedly experienced in his childhood while walking through that region. It is said he once saw an oak tree filled with angels spreading their bright wings. Anyhow, true or not, actually the tree was (re-)planted in 2011 by the way. The band had produced one EP beforehand in 2017, worth a try for sure, but this album certainly is a step forward, has very much to offer, full load so to say.

The line up hasn't changed during recent years, interestingly enough though they are recording with the involvement of two drummers in general. Enchanting, some Genesis reminiscences and Naomi Belshaw's heart-wrenching violin on the opener Arithmomania. Next follows the super relaxed The Odd Particle. John Silver provides fine repetitive bass lines. Equipped with Rick Startin's mellotron alike synths and Simon Carbery's nice lead vocals the folk tinged Big Game Fishing reminds me of Jethro Tull a bit. And then the band really rocks on Starstruck. Now the shortest track turns out to be my album highlight. Interminable Beige Thing comes with melancholic synths and electric violin again. Ahhhh, this always gives me the shivers. A great diversified album, the wonderful mellowness touches me much.