Folk-rock fanatic | Philadelphia, PA USA | 11/15/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After more than 20 years of mostly mediocre releases since reforming in 1983, the electric STRAWBS are now off of life-support and have come roaring back to health in this 40th-anniversary album.
Although I think it would be unrealistic to hope for new material on par with their golden-era songs, this album contains almost all the elements that always made their music so compelling---the combination of British-folk and soaring rock melodies, strong harmonies and, of course, the often-poignant and sometimes blistering lyrics of founder Dave Cousins.
The only thing missing is the musical presence of HERO AND HEROINE and GHOSTS master keyboardist John Hawken.
However, they have an able replacement in one Oliver Wakeman, son of---well, YOU know:) He is especially impressive on the the album's highlight, the multi-part "Pro Patria Suite".
Why just FOUR stars? There are just 9 cuts on the album. I would have preferred a few more songs of music of this high quality.
This is EASILY their finest work in better than 30 years!"
Strong return to form
Martin H. Franzen | Maple Shade, NJ | 03/28/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I had the pleasure of interviewing lead singer Dave Cousins before this album was recorded. After listening to his group and solo recordings since the early 1970s, this was almost an honor. Dave seems to have kept his life simple, recording regularly and enjoying it, too. This CD has the drive of the Strawbs' late 1970s work and is more edgy than you might expect. I prefer the band's pastoral/classical sounds and would love to see Rick Wakeman back in the fold, even just as a guest. Still, a great addition to the Strawbs' long list of superior works."
A Return to Form
Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 05/25/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Strawbs fans should be very excited by the quality of Dancing to the Devil's Beat. Some reviewers have called it their best since the 1970s. I say its their best since the underrated Deja Fou.
I like the entire album, but naturally have my favorites. Revenge (Can Be So Sweet) opens the album in grand style evoking the Strawbs of old. Reinforcing that return to form is the equally thrilling Beneath An Angry Sky. I also enjoy the expansive Pro Patria Suite, the very English ballad The Man Who Would Never Leave Grimsby, the quirky Ballad of Jay and Rose Mary, and the solemn Oh How She Changed.
The CD is housed in a standard jewel box and comes with an attractive and informative booklet that contains lyrics, pictures, and album information. Unfortunately, the CD cover is one of the ugliest I've seen...It's surely no hint of the wonderful music within!"
40 years on and still creative
Jim Panzee | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 01/07/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a solid follow-up to 2008's Broken Hearted Bride. If you enjoyed that CD -- and I did -- you'll like this one too. As with Broken Hearted Bride, the style is reminiscent of the Strawbs in their Hero and Heroine/Ghosts period without being duplicative. Eight of the nine tracks are good, the highlight being the Pro Patria suite, with its soaring anthem in the final part.
Overall, I liked The Broken Hearted Bride slightly better, but in one respect this CD improved on its predecessor: Broken Hearted Bride ended with a new version of a very early Strawbs song, We'll Meet Again Sometime, which, like the original version, was acoustic. It's a good song, but stood out like a sore thumb from the synthesizer-driven material around it. This time around, the Strawbs again redid one of their early songs, Oh How She Changed, but updated it with Dave Lambert's power chords and Oliver Wakeman's synthesizers. This was more successful, and Lambert's in great voice on that track, too.
Yes, I did say that only eight of the tracks are good. Track 7, the Ballad of Jay and Rosemary, sounds like something Dr. John might have produced on a very bad day. Just grin and bear it, better songs are on their way."