1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 3

(the joyous strain) takes up the first part and opens with the appropriately martial intro Daybreak. A trumpet marks the rising sun and a gentle guitar riff builds in the background soon to be joined by the bass and drums. This upbeat instrumental opening provides a light opening before the medieval mandolin bridge takes us back in time, fleet and airy with unison fills from John Fean's guitar and Jim Lockhart's flute. Building through a flute fronted jig reminiscent of Ian Anderson's style on the aforementioned Jethro Tull albums the first full on song "Trouble" is launched. The following "The Power And The Glory" is more muscular, resonating smoothly to the brisk smack of Eamon Carr's drums and Barry Devlin's bass marksmanship. Lockhart moves to organ and delivers some very rich tones, sounding very John Lord but then I'm sure the successes of deep Purple would have had some influence on the bands direction. Fean spins his chords neatly off the beat and Charles O'Connor scythes a fiddle break to great affect.

"The Rocks Remain" is relaxed. O'Connor scatters electric mandolin through the well-spaced mix and the vocal harmonies are pushed to the fore in a very west coast sort of way. Steely Dan and the Byrds comparisons are not entirely inappropriate here. Horslips now go up a gear and enter into their full-bloodied stride in "Sword Of Light". Fean lashes echoed riffs that were once a reel; the rhythm section is brutally precise. This song has a fantastic mix of traditional flavours and big stage rock and roll and neatly sums up what they do so well. Incidentally the folk "anoraks" amongst us will have noted that part of the tune of this song is derived from the traditional jig "Toss the Feathers" a much borrowed piece that even found its way onto Fairport Conventions classic album, "Liege and Lief"

Goltrai (the hammering strain) comprises two songs, "Warm Sweet Breath of Love" is a Grateful dead style country rock lilt, "Fantasia" is grand and courtly, a headstrong instrumental with more viciously soulful lead from Fean. Guitar fronted and bass driven there is something almost Santana-like about the lead playing which sits on top of the tune in place of the vocals. As the distant strains of this fade away the album moves smoothly into its final passage.

Suantrai (the sleeping strain) opens the more laid back tail end to the album. "King of Morning, Queen of Day" returns to the more folk based style, lyrics firmly set in the ancient underworld of a land of mists

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Album reviews: Book Of Invasions, by Horslips?
We want to hear your view. Write now!