GRAVE NEW WORLD

After Rick Wakeman left The Strawbs the year prior he was replaced by Blue Weaver who would stay in the band for the next few recordings of theirs. Otherwise they kept all their previous members and this is probably what I would consider the most "classic" Strawbs line-up, although the line-up they had on 1974's "Hero and Heroine" is equally fantastic. This might be may favorite Strawbs album but is still not quite 5/5 stars.

So let's find out why I consider this album 4/5 stars and talk about each individual song.

1. Benedictus: What a fantastic opener. This is one of the most beautiful and memorable songs on the album and a perfect way to open any folk prog album. Has great guitar work and Blue Weaver immediately shows his importance as a new member in the band. 9/10

2. Hey, Little Man... Thursday's Child: This is a short acoustic interlude between the first and third song of the album and it does what it's supposed to do. A very nice song. 4/5

3. Queen of Dreams: This is the longest song on the album and the only song over five minutes in length. A very experimental almost psychedelic song in parts. My favorite part might be the odd interlude that comes in almost halfway through. Very cool song but one of the weaker songs on the first side of the vinyl still. 8.5/10

4. Heavy Disguise: This is a great way to follow up Queen of Dreams. John Ford's vocals fit this song very well and this is another great moment on the first side of the vinyl. Although it is acoustic it feels very powerful but also peaceful. Very odd indeed, but pleasantly so. 9/10

5. New World: Essentially the title track and certainly deserving of that title. What a heavy song! The absolute highlight of the first side of the vinyl. Matter of fact, this is the first of three masterpieces in a row on this album (excluding the interlude that follows this song). The Strawbs at their very best right here. 9.5/10

6. Hey, Little Man... Wednesday's Child: Almost identical to Thursday's Child and a gorgeous way to end the first side of the vinyl. Very nice way to follow up a much heavier song. 4/5

7. The Flower and the Young Man: Here comes the second masterpiece of the album and what is a perfect way to open up any side of a vinyl record. The song opens up with only vocals and is a very slow and gentle song at first. Then suddenly a wonderfully powerful instrumental interlude kicks in and the song picks up the pace. Another favorite without question. 9/10

8. Tomorrow: A song supposedly written out of anger for Rick Wakeman leaving the band and a song that makes me thankful he left because or else we may never have had this song. A top 5 Strawbs song for me for sure and possibly the heaviest song on the record alongside New World. Flawless track. 10/10

9. On Growing Older: This is another beautiful interlude. Always enjoyed this song a lot but is not one of the most essential songs on this record which is probably no surprise. 3.5/5

10. Ah Me, Ah My: Well, here we go. This is one of the extremely few instances of a song that I almost always skip. Completely ruins the mood for me, just a plain stupid song that should never even have been considered for the album. I'll give it a half a star for the decent.. ..well there isn't much decent about it but I'm feeling generous today. 0.5/5

11. Is it Today, Lord?: Now that that is over we can move on to a much nicer song. I have always enjoyed this song a lot. I would not say it is a highlight of the album but I do think that it is a beautiful and perfect way to start the ending of this record. Not amazing but not bad at all either. 8/10

12. The Journey's End: This is such a beautiful song, wow! If Blue Weaver showed his place in the band on the first song he certainly confirmed that he is no fluke here. What a perfectly beautiful ending. 5/5

Overall this album lies right between 4 and 5 stars and is certainly a 4.5/5 stars. I have chosen to round it down though for one reason that can be summed up with four words: Ah Me, Ah My. Oh well, still a masterpiece and a must have, in my opinion.