SONGS FROM THE WOOD

This album is really a tale of two sides for me. The first side is too folky and uninspired and worth 2 stars, but everything comes to life on the second side which I would rate 4 stars. So yeah 3 stars is my rating here.

"Songs From The Wood" opens with vocals and harmonies.Yikes ! Thankfully the music comes in before a minute. Flute 3 minutes in followed by guitar and organ. Vocals and harmonies are back late. Not a good start. "Jack-In-The-Green" is laid back with strummed guitar, flute and vocals. Very folky. "Cup Of Wonder" opens with flute as a good beat comes in. Vocals too. Piano after 2 minutes. "Hunting Girl" features drums,organ, flute and guitar early. Vocals after a minute. An odd sounding track really.

"Ring Out,Solstice Bells" is like a Christmas song from the heathen (haha).The clapping and bells are all cringe worthy. That ends the first half. Oh that's why they were clapping. "Velvet Green" sounds really good when it settles around 2 minutes.These contrasts continue. Good song. "The Whistler" is even better. Vocals sound great and there's lots of flute and strummed guitar. "Pibroch (Cap In Hand)" opens with some welcomed electric guitar. Flute and drums follow then it settles with vocals. The contrasts between the laid back and more fuller sections continue. It ends as it began. Nice. "Fire At Midnight" is pastoral to start.It picks up nicely as contrasts continue.

Good album overall. Certainly Prog-Folk fans should really enjoy this one.