Trollheart

Okay then, here are my thoughts...

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?

It's 1973, and Peter Gabriel is in the house! Seriously, if someone had handed me this as an unnamed track I would have sworn it was an undiscovered Genesis track from about the "Nursery cryme"/"Foxtrot" era!

2. What did you think of the opening tracks?

Must say I loved the opener. It has some great flute (which again reinforces the Genesis comparisons) but it has a great hook and really, er, hooked me from the beginning. The guitar work is exquisite and David Longdon's vocals, though almost a carbon-copy of PG, are superb.

3. What did you think of the later tracks?

I think in general it stays to the same basic theme, with obvious exceptions being "Uncle Jack" and "A boy in darkness". Generally speaking I liked just about every track here, with the possible exception of the second one. As Big Ears said, it tries to be too clever but just looks and sounds out of place.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?

Loved him. I don't care that he sounds like Gabriel; that's a compliment in my book. And I loved the gentle English cultured sound of his voice. Very relaxing and comforting.

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?

Yes, I thought all the musicians did their job superbly, especially Greg Spawton and Andy Poole.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?

Started well, dipped a little with "Uncle Jack", picked up after that like a locomotive charging down the tracks, or in the case of BBT, steaming and puffing contentedly along.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?

Very pastoral in general, again very Genesisesque, though "A boy in darkness" is an interesting diversion from the rest of the lyrical content, much darker and mature.

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?

Yes, absolutely. This band know how to lay down a musical background and soundscape that perfectly complements David Longdon's voice.

9. What did you think of the production?

I'm never that clear on production, unless it's really bad. This did not sound bad.

10. How well do you already know the band/artist?

Getting slowly through their catalogue. "Gathering speed" is a great album, as is "From the river to the sea" and "Bard", and their last one, "The underfall yard" was excellent.

11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?

I would just say progressive rock. They're too like Genesis to be considered neo-prog. Folky elements too. I might coin a new sub-genre, and call them Countryside-Progressive, or maybe Rural Prog?

12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?

Much more. Every time I hear it I like it more.

13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?

I love the opener, "Upton Heath" is great, as is "Summoned by bells", and I really like "Winchester from St. Giles Hill"; of course you have to give a nod to "A boy in darkness".

14. And the one you liked least?

Probably "Uncle Jack" or the closer, "Hedgerow" (the two are sort of linked anyway)

15. Did the fact that this album is a debut/sophomore/middle period or later period allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?

Not applicable, as I meant that ONLY to apply to a debut, which this is not.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?

Definitely. Can't wait for part two, and I want to go listen back to their other albums.

17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?

Yes, returning to the simpler life and enjoying what nature has to offer.

18. Did the album end well?
I'm not crazy about the more psychedelic "Hedgerow", and would have preferred a better track to close with. But too like the Byrds for me. So I'd have to say no, but it's a low point in an otherwise fine, fine album.


19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?

Not really. Perhaps a bit more piano and less horns? Oh and a better closing track. Always important to end well, which I feel this didn't quite achieve.

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?

Mostly hung together well. It's not quite a concept, unlike some of their others, but the general theme running through it is mostly maintained, with a few little diversions here and there.

Overall Album Rating: 9 out of 10.

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Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018