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No Ruinous Feud

caparosor001 | 12/24/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In '72 the ISB entered what I called their "Romantic" period with Earthspan, continuing into No Ruinous Feud in '73 and Hard Rope and Silken Twine the following. The songwriting and Rick Danko-like vocals of Malcolm LeMaistre adding considerably to the mix. Already hardened by what I call the "Mystical" years (highlighted by Wee Tam and The Big Huge), I distinctly remember taking several months beforing finding each of these albums palatable. But once I acquired the taste, the finish has never left me. No Ruinous Feud represents the best of this era --conjuring a period of no specific time, yet with a musical spirit as curiously innocent and energetic as Blake, Richard Halliburton's Book of Marvels and New Worlds to Conquer, and The Adventures of Marco Polo. LeMaistre's Down Before Cathay and Explorer set this mythical tone, while Williamson's Old Buccaneer and Saturday Maybe add some blue-jazzy color. On this album, you'll also find Heron's most starkly lovelorn songs since First Girl I Loved in Turquoise Blue and Little Girl. In the former, the typically eccentric, but rhythmetic acoustic guitar of Heron is eternally infectuous, with Williamson's flute (and guest Gerard Dott's clarinet) polishing the effect to a fine grain -- a shimmering turquoise blue. There is also a refreshing return to the humor only glimpsed at during the '60s (songs like "Letter") with Circus Girl (Williamson's sardonic verses, "You fly higher than the house of lords... if they try to beat you or dare to mistreat you I'll give them some lip!") and a surprisingly catchy cover of Dolly Parton's My Blue Tears (if you can believe that!). To top it off, there is also a quasi-reggaeish nonvocal Second Fiddle, with Williamson merrily blowing his tin whistle. The ISB never sounded happier.And you may very well find yourself caught within the same joyous realm that's stuck with me these past 26 years. No Ruinous Feud is a work of surprising vision beneath an almost self-deprecating romantic, half-humorous stance. You'll have to suspend more than disbelief, but seriousness, to enjoy it; but once you do, it's worth the discovery!"

An Absolute Charmer

brainpang | New York, NY United States | 03/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album has a spark that cannot be contained. Comparable 'in spirit' to Van Dyke Parks 'Discover America.' Meaning it's an utter joy to call your very own. Don't listen to the spoilsport hippies! Buy or Cry 'till ya Die."

ISB Bid Goodnight to Their Past Glories

S. GODFREY | 01/28/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"It's always refreshing to hear other points of view such as the opinions expressed below, however I think most ISB fans would agree that "No Ruinous Feud" is by far their poorest album (even "Be Glad" is better!) Truth is from the David Bailey "look we're a proper rock band now!" cover photos onwards this is the sound of a band all at sea. Nothing intrinsically wrong in covering a Dolly Parton song but two covers on one (very short) album? And an ISB album at that?Mike Heron's maudlin singer songwriter tendencies are given full rein on this LP and it does not make for pleasant listening, his songs are generally unmemorable run-of-the-mill mid-70's AOR, the love songs the sappiest and soppiest of his career. Robin Williamson on the other hand seems to have lost control of his own band, his contributions are reasonable - "Saturday Maybe" is typical of the kind of low key jazzy ballads he was writing at the time, "Circus Girl" is just silly. As for "Second Fiddle", the reggae instrumental, well what is the point? The backing on the track is provided by Greyhound, a British reggae band of the period - what does this have to do with ISB? I must admit to never having noticed Malcolm Le Maistre's vocal similarity to Rick Danko (if only it had been true!). Malcolm's a problem figure for many ISB fans, his plummy vocals can be a bit mannered, his songwriting variable .....as for his dancing - don't ask! However he wrote the best song on the album before ("My Father Was a Lighthouse Keeper") and this album's Lighthouse song, "At the Lighthouse Dance" is pretty fun, very Bowie-ish, ISB goes glam rock!In short (and as I said before this is a very short ISB album), one for ISB completists - new converts should leave this one till last."