DRAGONFLY

The second of their three albums that they released in their prime (the 90's), before coming back recently with a different type of music in their latest offering. I have no idea if the band still existed in between their third album and the new one, but there was a lapse of at least 12 years. In either case, Shave The Monkey is a very folky group, using plenty of medieval instruments and all of the clichés that have been in vogue since the 60's and 70's revival, but the rock elements is rather absent.

Indeed, between the hurdy-gurdy, the piccolos and bombarde, the luthes, bouzoukis and mandolins, the clichéd crystalline female vocals, the usual jigs and ballads, you'll definitely not wander onto uncharted musical landscapes. Yes there are some rockier instruments used, like guitars, bass and drums (typically in the more progressive moments), but it remains quite folky. There are some enchanting moments, like the haunting Sad Marie, but there are too many filler jigs and jugs and when it gets melancholic , it's very cliché

I wouldn't want to discourage you, but there is very little point to make such an album, when you've got tons of them that were made in the glorious decades of the folk revival. Up to you, but if I were you, I'd pass on this one.