Rating: 8/10

Track amount: 10

Running Time: 41 minutes and 20 seconds.

Genre: Folk Music, Psychedelic Folk.

Personnel: Mike Heron, Robin Williamson, Licorice McKechnie and Malcolm Le Maistre.

Producer: Robin Williamson and Mike Heron.

Record Label: Island Records

Art Direction: N/A

Best tracks: Sunday Song, Banks Of Sweet Italy, Seagull.

As time went on, could The Incredible String Band hold it all together as the late 1960s gave way to the early 1970s? The group had undergone significant personnel changes since the release of their self-titled debut album in 1966, and were becoming wary of shifting trends in Popular Music and culture as well. With a deeper focus on a more traditional Folk music-based album, this album also incorporated keyboards and Progressive Rock Music structures. This was completely different from earlier in their career. In any case, we can hope that this album is as interesting and consistent as albums by the group before it. Let’s jump back in time to 1972 and take a listen to this album, and we shall hear if it is any good.

1. My Father Was A Lighthouse Keeper begins with acoustic guitar and other instrumentation that immediately sounds impressive. Soft singing emerges to illustrate the music at hand. It is a good listen, even if it does not reach the heights of previous efforts by The Incredible String Band. All the same, this does sound really good for what it is. Telling an artistic tale of a lighthouse keeper dad, this is a sweet and smooth listen for what it is. One can sense that The Incredible String Band, as underrated as ever, were struggling to be recognised in the music world. Nonetheless, the performances are fantastic as always. This music is fluid, artistic and original throughout. A really bittersweet symphony style of tune, this is magical and enjoyable in its own way. A very, very good listening experience, even if these guys were past their peak by this point. The jangling acoustic guitar, piano and vocal harmonies throughout are very refreshing to hear. Nonetheless, a good effort but not really a great effort. It fades out nicely at the end.

2. Antoine begins with organ, a first for these guys. It sounds remarkably like Rick Wakeman’s works, in a way. Singing emerges, which articulates the music very nicely, along with some fiddle work. This is a stripped-back sound by The Incredible String Band that is completely different to before. Even so, although this is a tad weaker than earlier efforts, it still has an originality and musical personality of its own. It is quite beautiful in its musicality and unique style, even if this lacks the flavour of earlier albums. Still, undeniably, this is a very good effort. The fiddle and organ combined are a bit of an oddity for the group, but hey, The Beatles showed the world of music that it is perfectly okay to experiment musically. The Incredible String Band understood this fact. It does drag on a little bit towards the end, but this is matched by gorgeous vocals throughout. Nonetheless, a good listen from beginning to end that is very dramatic.

3. Restless Night begins with dual-tracked guitars and organ, with melodic vocals that are sung sweetly. This music is better than the track before it, and it sounds quite deep and emotional. This has a Samba sort of feel to it, which makes it feel deep and unusual throughout. Yes, these guys were experimenting with their music, but in quite a good way. This still sounds quite fresh and dramatic regardless. Singing, acoustic guitar and punchy drumming make this tune progress along nicely. Nonetheless, this is still very good to listen to and has some saxophone-style melodies in it as well. This is a different but nonetheless simply enjoyable tune, perfect to play on your stereo during the family picnic. A very substantially awesome listen overall. Very unusual.

4. Sunday Song is a seven-minute-long piece. It begins with some string sections and female vocals in opposing channels, which definitely sounds different. This majestic ballad also has piano and simple but dramatic melodies throughout. This tune is about the ongoings on the final day of the week, complete with banging drums that sound neat. This ballad-style piece with punchy drumming is good, but it sounds like The Incredible String Band is struggling to change with the times on this album. Even so, don’t skip ahead. This is decent in its own way. This extended tune is typical of 1972, when 20-minute-long Progressive Rock songs full of multiple and dramatic sections were largely acceptable by the album-buying public at the time. There are many sectionalised breakdowns throughout, which are calming and pretty. To be fair, these guys made some pretty melodies, and they could definitely sing in a naturally beautiful way. Near the midsection is a mandolin and an organ to top it all off. This continues to surprise those listening. In the second half is some Pink Floyd-style keyboard playing alongside harmony-based singing. For all its musical awkwardness, this does sound different and impressive throughout. Soon enough, a cello section emerges with some neat melodies alongside the rest of the group. An intense piece of melodic listening is here. All in all, this music is extremely neat and sweet. This song proves that even on longer pieces, The Incredible String Band could create pieces of music that would have crossover appeal to even those who dug Classical Music, per se. It does sound amazing in its own way, although this tune could have been edited slightly. A very good listen regardless. Very sweet and enchanting. The strings are very prominent at the end.

5. Black Jack David begins with some multitracked fiddles and sounds like a pseudo-Country Music piece as a result, with strummed acoustic guitar and an ecstatic-sounding piece of music at hand. Nonetheless, this music is sweet, interesting and enjoyable throughout. It is surprising that The Incredible String Band, being hugely underrated even during their heyday, could create timeless and awesome music that captures the imagination of people to this very day. A totally enjoyable and upbeat tune by the group. Very upbeat, sweet and catchy throughout. Credit due where it is, these guys could make a piece of music sound fantastic. The ending is awesome, too.

6. Banks of Sweet Italy begins with soft, harmonious female vocals and gentle acoustic guitar playing. This is a sweet and gentle tune that will make you smile. This is another brilliant listening experience by the group, which has multiple vocals, flute and other instrumentation to lift you up to a higher level. A very beautiful and magically majestic song that is perfect for those of you who like organic Hippie Music, this is by far one of the best tracks on this album. Three minutes of absolutely gorgeous, blissful music are present. This sounds sweet and lovely throughout, and it showcases the best side of Europe itself. If one loves Folk Music with deep beauty, look no further. Good tune.

7. The Actor begins with some sweet acoustic guitar and some male vocals that sound sweet and articulate. Piano is present throughout. This is likely about a real actor, but this is not clearly known. All the same, it is a gorgeously magical and pretty tune that has some romanticism and gorgeous beauty to it. With some lyrics about smoking cigarettes and finding a lover of sorts, this has some neat harpsichord as well. The bass guitar work is also excellent throughout, indicating a sectional change. A very gorgeous and magical listen about troubled love, this tune is a winner. Very sweet and hard to beat, this music is from a purer and simpler age, where music was more about talent and much less of a tabloid popularity contest. This is romance and tragedy mixed into it all, and the lady in this story is a sweet one indeed. A fantastic listen with some excellent singing and instrumentation from beginning to end.

8. Moon Hang Low begins with some softly recorded drumming and a Jazzy brass section to it all. It quickly launches into a rather odd and awkward-sounding tune by The Incredible String Band that is a halfway attempt at doing a Frank Sinatra-style tune. This is a strange fusion of music and styles of music. However, it is still listenable for most out there, just not the sort of song that really makes a big impression on core fans of the group. Even so, this experimental piece does sound fluid and natural, like most of The Incredible String Band’s output. The acoustic guitar throughout deserves a mention, and there is a brass section solo in the second half. Miles Davis probably would dig this one. A very unusual song, but nonetheless, experimentation that has its place. Nice music to hear, all the same. Worth a listen.

9. Sailor And The Dancer is another short piece as we approach the end of the album. It begins with some lovely acoustic guitar and keyboard in opposing channels. Some sweet singing is present on this song, and it becomes very lively and unique throughout. This does sound imaginative and whimsical in its approach. A very unique and sweet tune, once again. This music is a bit of an acquired taste, but at this point in the album, it is clear that its efforts are rewarding for the listener out there. In the second half is a rush of melodies and editing, which is fantastic. Remember, this was the era of LSD use, and no doubt that these musicians would have dabbled in it. A glorious sounding listen.

10. Seagull is the final track on this album and runs for well over six minutes in length. It begins with a clanging acoustic guitar and launches into a beautiful song at hand. This quickly progresses into a majestic and acoustic guitar-based song with glorious and artistic lyrics about seagulls themselves. A strong and pretty listen throughout with loads of different instrumentation to match it. Eventually, this enters into a piece with late 1960s/early 1970s organ and harmonies that are absolutely wonderful. Yes, this is an awkward-sounding musical fusion for the group. Having said that, it still sounds amazing in its own way. The layers of wind instrumentation, acoustic guitars and other vocals and unique sounds make this sound incredibly lively and pretty. Very different and way out there for such a tune. The midsection has some instrumental soloing, followed by melodic singing that makes a lasting impression. All in all, this epic piece makes the album seem like quite an accomplishment on this final song. Excellent in its own way. Accordion is mixed in with the acoustic guitar in segments as well. Seagulls aren’t the prettiest or most lovable birds in the world, but then again, they do have a place on this planet. This gradually draws to a close with exciting repeated vocals and intelligent, articulate instrumentation. This ends this unusual album on a high note. This tune is well worth hearing, all the way through to the fade out.

This album is a bit of a leftfield listen from The Incredible String Band. Yes, it does sound very unusual and noticeably musically awkward at times. However, these musicians knew how to make simply good music, and even on their lesser albums, this shines right through. A very good album that, even not at the group’s best, sounds amazing in its own way. Should you listen to this album? Yes, if you dig simple Folk Music and The Incredible String Band’s earlier efforts, but fans of Punk and Metal will unlikely appreciate this album.