Although The Incredible String Band were definitely past their musical heyday by this point in time, they continued to go on as a band. This album was a case of the wrong time for a commercial release and did not chart or sell well compared to previous album releases by The Incredible String Band. Still, it was critically deemed to be better than the album released before it, Changing Horses. Only six songs are present on this album, with two songs being over 10 minutes long. In any case, let’s take a listen to this album and we shall hear where it takes us.

Black Jack Davey is a reconstruction of a traditional Scottish song. It begins with some frenetic and pleasantly upbeat fiddle, which is dual-tracked and has some sweet acoustic guitar to match. This sounds great from the start and has some euphoric singing to match it nicely. A great tune in its own way, the singing is clear and pretty throughout. A joyous listening experience that sounds fresh, dynamic and different to this day, this is a good moment from The Incredible String Band. The singing and fiddle playing are both synchronised and gorgeous. This may not be the finest moment from The Incredible String Band compared to other musical moments, but it certainly is fun to listen to. The musicianship throughout is truly awesome. An upbeat and fine listening experience, this sounds truly and simply awesome. Nonetheless, sweet and lovely. A great rendition, the ending has a vocal finish, followed by a quick musical snippet to conclude. Excellent.

Letter begins with some loose guitar riffs and keyboards, before launching into an unusual-sounding tune about receiving a letter in the mail. This sounds good and interesting musically, and it is really a sweet tune that isn’t too far away from Beatlesque musical territory here. A really cool and upbeat tune about receiving a letter from a lady of fancy, this is a great listen, for all its quirkiness. An enjoyable yet quirky tune lyrically, matched by some of the best and most melodic music out there, this is a winner. It ends with a nice drum break.

Picture’s In A Mirror begins with some unusual piano in the background of the left channel, which gradually becomes more prominent as time goes on. This sounds spooky and weird, to be frank. An interesting beginning to a piece of music over 10 minutes long. Acoustic guitar joins the mix as well. This is a very freeform sort of listening experience. Some Indian-inspired vocals enter, and this piece gets launched into a very unusual-sounding song that is the 1970 equivalent of a Western-styled Indian raga. This song gradually evolves very nicely, and it launches into a fantastic piece of music and musicianship, which sounds pretty, lovely and lyrically surreal. A really pretty and interesting piece of music, this erupts into a chaotic musical piece with fiddle, female backing vocals and other elements of instrumentation that are really terrific to listen to. This is very weird sounding, but it is a masterwork in Hippie based music to this very day. There are breakdowns to illuminate this awesome lyrical story, and this is exactly the sort of material that the Punk movement would absolutely loathe. In any case, this song has some unusual harmonies in the midsection, before the story progresses on nicely. This is, nonetheless, very beautiful and wonderful sounding. A bunch of stop/start frenetic instrumentation is present here as the singing goes on. This is a pretty and suspenseful listening experience that sounds incredibly gorgeous. It sounds very dynamic and interesting, and this is a brilliant tale of Psychedelic glory. A really pretty ballad that has some magic and suspense throughout, this is a different listening experience that sure sounds unlike anything else ever made. However, this is a very good thing. The music at hand is amazing. This is a majestic trip through picturesque imagery. A dramatic tune, this stops and starts nicely throughout. Towards the end, the music gets frenetic and fast-paced to match the unusual story. Odd but it sounds awesome. It concludes after 10 minutes.

This Moment launches into more glorious singing with some crisp acoustic guitar and female backing vocals. This is a good listen, and it sounds fresh and joyous. This is about the concept of love itself, and the music and singing are fresh and dynamic. The Incredible String Band showed that, even after the 1960s and Woodstock, they could make music that was still great quality to listen to. A fresh, interesting and awesome listen, with call-and-response vocals from both the male and female singers, along with some of the best and most lovely acoustic guitar playing by The Incredible String Band, this is truly a magical and majestic listening experience. This song is really a simple yet brilliantly played tune about romance and love. The second half has multitracked and wonderful singing, and it is something that should be memorable for the listener. A fresh-sounding musical piece, even many decades later, this is a great musical song, with a twist towards the end of it all. It nearly stops towards the end, before concluding with some brilliant six-string and 12-string acoustic guitar work. Ingenious.

When You Find Out Who You Are is another 10-minute-long piece. It begins with a vocal lead-in, along with acoustic guitars and joyful piano playing. A very excellent and euphoric listening experience, this sounds very different to today’s AI-driven world of music and musicianship. This leads into a glorious chorus section that is quieter, but very pretty with some gorgeous singing and backing vocals present. A really good listening experience throughout, this music is definitely pretty. It showcases the potentiality of inner peace, and exploring the mindset of a positive person. Soon enough, some acoustic guitars, tambourine and percussion take it from here, before this enters a completely different musical section that is excellent and brilliant. This is a brilliant slice of musical history throughout, even if this music was never that popular. It still sounds fresh and unique, to this very day. A very youthful and joyous listening experience, through and through. Multitracked vocals simply stating, “You are the way” are present throughout this song, and this music builds up in intensity and performance throughout. The Incredible String Band made some gorgeous sounds and awesome skills when playing music. Nonetheless, this is really a great listen, if a little repetitive. Regardless, the singing throughout is pretty, timeless and unique throughout. This is an underrated listening experience from start to finish, as is the rest of this album. It is about the purity of the human soul and spirit. After some time into the second half, percussion and acoustic guitars get this tune driving into the next section. This sounds excellent and euphoric throughout. This music surely is some of the most underrated in retrospect that one can spend time listening to. In any case, this gradually enters into a pounding and upbeat tune for anyone to listen to and hear today. A really great way to spend 10 minutes of one’s life listening to a fantastic tune. The song wraps up with surrealistic lyrics, pounding percussion, piano, acoustic guitars and handclaps. Very, very awesome. The finish is interesting, with piano and furiously strummed acoustic guitars. Great.

Fair As You is a six-minute long piece to end the album. It begins with flute and acoustic guitar playing, which is fresh sounding and unique. Nonetheless, this is an excellent and gentle start to a song. Eventually, the music and playing throughout lead into gorgeous multitracked female vocals along with the gorgeous acoustic guitar playing and flute. This is surely one of the most underrated albums of all time? Violin enters, and we are underway on our trip. Male vocals follow, and this song sounds brilliant and vibrant throughout. Sure, this is very much Hippie Music, but it sounds so natural and musically inviting that this is a great example of how music in the past still sounds really fantastic, to this very day. There is an instrumental section with flute and acoustic guitar to enjoy, along with violin as well. A really gorgeous and dramatic tune, the female vocals return after some time into the second half, which sounds very unique. This is a masterclass of less-is-more recording philosophy. Male vocals return, and this pretty tune continues on nicely. The mixture of sounds and perfect singing and playing are insanely good. A welcome and joyous listen from start to finish. This ends nicely with some gentle acoustic guitar playing, flute and violin to finish up.

As mentioned before, this is one of the most underrated album-listening experiences out there. The combination of beauty, melodicism, performances and playing are second to none. The Incredible String Band were indeed, incredible. This is also considered one of their “lesser” releases as well. No doubt that the music here released in 1970 is miles ahead of others in terms of consistency and quality. Should you listen to this album? Definitely, it is stunningly beautiful.

Light years ahead of the competition.

9/10