The group's first real rock album, with a sound clearly rooted in modern
sensibilities, with the guitars are turned up very loud for the first
time. The singing is still modeled on traditional patterns, and is quite
beautiful (especially "One Misty Moisty Morning" and "Allison
Gross"), but the resonances and undertones of electric guitars are
everywhere -- the result is a record that, in some ways, recalls Fairport
Convention's Liege and Lief (the record that led indirectly to the spawning
of Steeleye Span in the first place), with some very flashy playing by
Johnson on some of the breaks. The rousing "Ups and Downs" is
played on acoustic instruments, and the atmospheric "Weaver and the
Factory Maid" could've come off of any of the earlier albums, while
"The Bold Poachers" is more traditional sounding, starting out
on acoustic instruments before the amplified guitars chime in -- it sets
the tone for the album, as wah-wah pedals punch up instrumentals such
as "Robbery With Violins" and "The Wee Wee Man" (which
includes drums). A lot of the time it works -- the ominous and dazzling
"Cam Ye O'er Frae France" would not have succeeded half as well
without amplification, and every fan of the group should hear this track
at least once.
(by Bruce Eder, All
Music Guide)
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