A Perfect Combo
Mark D. Prouse | Riverdale (Bronx), NY | 06/23/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Twofers" aren't always perfectly paired, but these two albums really do go together, given that the period and personnel lineup are consecutive and similar. However, partially due to the absence of Licorice and Rose on the latter album, they do have a different atmosphere, like dense and airy, or dusky and bright. EARTHSPAN is the darker, moodier side, with a few sunny spots. 'The Actor' is one of my all-time favorite ISB songs, something akin to the gauzy memories of a past time conjured up in 'Darling Belle' on LIQUID ACROBAT AS REGARDS THE AIR, only this time it's the 1920's. As usual, a period musical style isn't literally imitated, but a mood is created through the lyrics and light instrumental touches. This is one of the things the ISB does best: things are not laid out for us with all of the blanks filled in, but rather, images and sounds are sketched and layered in such a way that we must bring our own emotional connections and memories to the music and are therefore more engaged, like a participant instead of just an observer. NO RUINOUS FEUD is even more evocative of times gone by. However, while earlier ISB albums seemed to harken back to medieval times and now remind me of the hippie renaissance fairs that were popular in the 1970's, both of these albums are much more modern. NO RUINOUS FEUD is as close to rock music as the ISB ever got, although other styles are wonderfully incorporated into the mix. A fantastic, bluegrass-flavored Dolly Parton cover of 'My Blue Tears' is a highlight (ISB rarely did covers, other than adaptations of very old folk songs). There are some instrumental tunes that mix up jug band, jazz and Celtic music in such a way that it's practically impossible to say what kind of music it actually is. Another thing that sets these records apart from their predecessors is the deep, rich voice of Malcolm LeMaistre, who also contributes several songs as well. When he joined the band an already diverse sound expanded. To my ears, his voice is more pleasant to listen to than either Robin Williamson's or Mike Heron's, and his pitch is usually much more accurate as well. His 'Down Before Cathay' is one of the loveliest songs to ever grace an ISB album, although some listeners may find it a bit fey (as with much of the ISB catalogue; this music is not for all tastes, and almost none of it could be remotely considered "macho"). If, like me, you are a big Incredible String Band fan (I own most of their original albums on both vinyl and CD), or a frustrated flower child who is put off by the crass commercialism, rudeness and violence of these troubled times, you can't go wrong with these sublime creations. I only give this release four stars as a note of caution: this music will never have broad appeal, but that's just fine with me. For more adventurous listeners, these works will yield many treasures."
Late ISB
Delver DeTome | Flagstaff AZ USA | 06/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Despite the fact that these two offerings come late in the long succession of ISB productions, there were some fresh sounds here.
Good stuff."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1