Comus
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific prog bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=60404
Printed Date: February 16 2025 at 09:38
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Comus
Posted By: A Person
Subject: Comus
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 02:54
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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. |
Replies:
Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 03:37
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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 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1596 are supposedly in a similar vein.
And these acts too:
Tea & Symphony http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1982 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1982
Jan Dukes De Grey http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1810 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1810
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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Posted By: A Person
Date Posted: August 13 2009 at 11:10
| Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check them out. |
Posted By: TrevRockOne
Date Posted: August 14 2009 at 15:00
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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.
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Posted By: Padraic
Date 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). |
Posted By: Kestrel
Date Posted: August 14 2009 at 15:47
| A perfect album, in my opinion. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 14 2009 at 16:04
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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. |
Posted By: Plankowner
Date Posted: August 14 2009 at 17:11
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What is your favorite album by The Incredible String Band Greg? |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 14 2009 at 17:22
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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. |
Posted By: A Person
Date 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. |
Posted By: superprog
Date Posted: August 15 2009 at 03:05
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cmon ppl this is the time to check out The Observatory!! their latest album 'Dark Folke' is prog acid folk w black/doom influences:
http://www.myspace.com/theobservatoryband - www.myspace.com/theobservatoryband
http://www.theobservatory.com.sg - www.theobservatory.com.sg
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Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: August 15 2009 at 04:20
Geez, what do I have to add since you've stolen my recommendations
 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 |
UMUR wrote:Posted By: Tuzvihar
Date Posted: August 15 2009 at 04:33
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Do you know a Polish band called Żywiołak? PA entry: http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4579 - http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4579 Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zywiolak - http://www.myspace.com/zywiolak The lyrics will be lost for you, though, as they are sung in Polish and some in Ukrainian. ------------- "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 |
Posted By: Rottenhat
Date Posted: August 15 2009 at 17:46
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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.. ------------- Language is a virus from outer space. -William S. Burroughs |