- The latest album by this rejuvenated
five-piece is so much more than you might expect from a brief
consideration of its title (which could be seen as a merely succinct,
if clever anagrammatic reshuffle of the key elements). It's also
a difficult album to review, because I really can't find anything
to criticise. It sounds great, contains some excellent playing
and singing (solo and harmony vocals alike), and uniformly fine
writing. The musical personalities of the individual participants
(Iain Matthews, Andy Roberts, Mark Griffiths, Julian Dawson and
Andy Metcalfe) are brought out well yet neither subjugated nor
unduly dominant at any time during the course of the album's
46 minutes and 12 tracks.
-
- The rich accomplishments of
the various elements in the mix - for example, Julian's prominent
harmonica playing, Andy Roberts sundry stringed instruments -
are a continuous marvel to behold. Tucked in amongst the superb
individual and joint compositions, the set features two surprising
covers - Poor Moon (the old Canned Heat number) and Sloth (yes,
the Fairport chestnut), both of which emerge credibly and at
sufficient distance from the originals to count as eminently
worthwhile essays - and Like A Cat, a curious little song of
unknown provenance.
-
- Ever supremely classy and accessible,
Plainsong quietly and unfussily continue to provide musical satisfaction
on a very high plane with this new release, which I can't praise
highly enough.
- However - Plainsong remains
a four piece! (pc)
-
- David Kidman
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