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A Person View Drop Down
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Points: 65760 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Comus
    Posted: August 13 2009 at 02:54
So, I've been listening to Comus' First Utterance a lot lately, and have been wondering, how come it isn't rated higher? I love the originality, the atmosphere, the music, and the vocals, all very unique. I know the lyrics are, to put it nicely, deranged, but they only add to the feeling of the album.

Another question: Is there anything else that is similar to Comus? I love the folk/tribal feeling, very raw and emotional.
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UMUR View Drop Down
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Points: 3069 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 13 2009 at 03:37
I hope Hugues sees this thread because he will have some great recommendations for you.
 
I listened to this album for the first time about a year ago and was blown away by the intense playing and the...well...deranged lyrics. I´m currently working on a review that will justify my 5 star rating because this is one of the real gems on PA IMO. A truly unique album.
 
I´m not that familiar with the prog folk genre yet but a band like Spirogyra http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1596 are supposedly in a similar vein.
 
And these acts too:
 
 
 
Correct me if I´m wrong though as I haven´t heard the last two yet.
 
A lot of the critique I´ve seen in reviews of First Utterance was about the lyrics and the rather psychotic delivery of the vocals. Some people feel uncomfortable and alienated by those features. I think it´s what makes Comus so unique.
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Points: 65760 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 13 2009 at 11:10
Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check them out.
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Points: 112 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 14 2009 at 15:00

Yeah, I think it's a crime that FU (haha) isn't on the top prog folk albums list.  Really heavy disturbing stuff. 

Jan Dukes de Grey's Mice and Rats in the Loft doesn't have the same kind of intimate foresty folky atmosphere as Comus, it's kind of a symphonic foresty folky album if that makes sense, but it's still a great album and just as out there as Comus.
 
Here's hoping that the recent Comus reunion will yield another disturbing foresty folky masterpiece.Big smile
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Points: 31169 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 14 2009 at 15:38
Spirogyra is another good acid-folk band to check out, but won't match the doom and gloom of First Utterance (very little does, really).  
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Points: 512 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 14 2009 at 15:47
A perfect album, in my opinion.
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Points: 35665 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 14 2009 at 16:04
It's one of the greatest albums in PA, as far as I'm concerned.  Some are put off by lyrical content, and vocal qualities.   Acid Folk is a favourite of mine,

Since they haven't been mentioned: I might also suggest you check out The Incredible String Band, and Bread Love and Dreams.
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Points: 4006 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 14 2009 at 17:11

What is your favorite album by The Incredible String Band Greg?
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Points: 35665 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 14 2009 at 17:22
I like both the 5000 Spirits and the Hangman's Beautiful Daughter considerably.

One that I forgot to mention before is Pentangle.  Basket of Light is very good.
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Points: 65760 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 14 2009 at 17:28
I wish there was a place for albums like FU, for albums that aren't well known but some are some of the most unique ones on PA. I know there is the " overlooked and obscure gems albums" spot at the bottom of each page, but a section dedicated to albums like that would push them further into the limelight. 
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Points: 1354 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 15 2009 at 03:05
cmon ppl this is the time to check out The Observatory!!  their latest album 'Dark Folke' is prog acid folk w black/doom influences:
 
 
 
 
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Points: 20239 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 15 2009 at 04:20
Originally posted by UMUR UMUR wrote:

I hope Hugues sees this thread because he will have some great recommendations for you.
 
I listened to this album for the first time about a year ago and was blown away by the intense playing and the...well...deranged lyrics. I´m currently working on a review that will justify my 5 star rating because this is one of the real gems on PA IMO. A truly unique album.
 
I´m not that familiar with the prog folk genre yet but a band like Spirogyra http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1596 are supposedly in a similar vein.
 
And these acts too:
 
 
 
Correct me if I´m wrong though as I haven´t heard the last two yet.
 
A lot of the critique I´ve seen in reviews of First Utterance was about the lyrics and the rather psychotic delivery of the vocals. Some people feel uncomfortable and alienated by those features. I think it´s what makes Comus so unique.
µ
 
 
Geez, what do I have to add since you've stolen my recommendationsLOL
 
 
with those three you('ve got a solid acid folk prog foundation.
 
 
 
 
A1s to why they're not rated higher, it's partly because some don't think it's prog, because it doesn't fit the mould they see as prog.... others might be taken aback by the music and the vocals.  FU is comp^letely out of norm and should be an instant hit with the majority of us, but sitting at nearly four star, it's honest,rating  even if  I think t deserves more
 
Comus is either an istant click or it'll never be. Being an acquired taste is  not always something easy, especially if it's freaky and has few drum parts.
let's just stay above the moral melee
prefer the sink to the gutter
keep our sand-castle virtues
content to be a doer
as well as a thinker,
prefer lifting our pen
rather than un-sheath our sword
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Points: 13536 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 15 2009 at 04:33
Do you know a Polish band called Żywiołak?

PA entry: http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4579

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zywiolak

The lyrics will be lost for you, though, as they are sung in Polish and some in Ukrainian.


Edited by Tuzvihar - August 15 2009 at 04:35
"Music is much like f**king, but some composers can't climax and others climax too often, leaving themselves and the listener jaded and spent."

Charles Bukowski
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Points: 436 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 15 2009 at 17:46
I have a album of a strange and obscure psychedelic band called "Fred", and their self-titled album. I Think they have a bit of the same feeling as Comus. Hard to expain the feeling really. Psychedelic folk that really sound authentic in a strange way... They could probably be included in the "Proto Prog" or "Prog Folk" category.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3jfwxqwrldhe

not much info, and the dates are off..




Edited by Rottenhat - August 15 2009 at 18:03
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