1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Following that eternal quest to bring to the publics attention some of the worthy yet obscure bands and albums that have helped colour my life so far, we arrive at number 84 in the catalogue, Blyth Powers memorable masterpiece, Pastor Skull. With an ever-shifting line up resulting in an ever-different flavour to their albums, 1993's Pastor Skull remains as always quintessentially English, yet with a dark underbelly. It is story telling in a folk tradition, but is a much more complex beast than that. If the word folk brings to mind beardy, Arran sweater, national health glass wearing men called Ken playing hammer dulcimers and singing fol-de-rol lyrics then this is album is for you. Why? Because it will take that stereotypical image and blows it out of the water. Blyth Power has always been a collection of punks, radicals and musical agitators re working musical traditions to their own rules. Folk music is in there but so are raw punk guitars, rock power riffs, hippy harmonies and a lyrical intelligence rarely found in modern music. For this outing the band were down to a four piece. The leader of the pack, Josef Porta, drummer, lyricist, wit and storyteller up front as usual and long term bassist "Martin "Protag" Neish providing a solid beat and intricate four string frame work for the other two. The two newer boys came in the guise of Darren Tansley, medieval fixated keyboard player and the enigmatically named WOB, now a successful solo act on guitar, both also contributing to the sumptuous backing vocals.

The cover and the various inlay artwork betrays the feeling of the album, simple drawings of medieval scenes give you a clue to some of the direction the songs will take, though in essence the subject matter spans periods ancient and modern but when Tansley's keyboards hit full flight, a medieval feeling washes through the proceedings. A sustained guitar note builds before launching into the punked out tones of Royal George and immediately Porta`s ability with the pen becomes apparent.

Stag broke cover and the coursers brayed
We met out hunting on Boxing Day
Beneath the dripping trees a tryst arranged
And while we spoke our passion led the bloodhounds astray

The story eludes to the pastimes of the Prince Regent, the future King George the Fourth; a man that they claim "had the misfortune to be born into an age which predated train spotting and became, as a result, a man of easy virtue." The song rocks as well as any Green Day or Good Charlotte number and manages

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Album reviews: Pastor Skull by Blyth Power ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!