STRAWBS

"Strawbs" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by UK folk rock/progressive folk rock act The Strawbs. The album was released through A&M Records in May 1969. The Strawbs formed in 1964 under the Strawberry Hill Boys monicker, while still attending school. They shortened the name to The Strawbs in 1967. The early incarnation of the band featured a young Sandy Denny (later of Fairport Convention and Fotheringay) and that lineup recorded 13 tracks for an album titled "All Our Own Work", but the album was shelved and wasn´t released until 1973 through the Pickwick Records label.

Stylistically most of the material on this debut album is acoustic oriented folk rock with a progressive edge. Most tracks are carried by two acoustic guitars, double bass, soft melodic lead vocals, and loads or harmonies and choirs. Some tracks also feature string arrangements and/or, flute, and piano. While a few tracks like "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus", "Or Am I Dreaming?", and, "Oh How She Changed" features drums, quite a few tracks on the album doesn´t feature regular rock drumming. Some percussion here and there, but several tracks are based on the acoustic instruments and vocals described above. To my ears it´s also were The Strawbs shine the most. It´s When they are most stripped down and folk oriented that their music is most intriguing. The string arrangements and drums have a tendency to provide their music with a mainstream orientation, which isn´t that interesting. There´s also a slight symphonic progresive rock element in the music which sometimes remind me of Genesis. Best examplified in "Pieces of 79 and 15" and the ending the 6:30 minutes long epic "The Battle".

The musicianship is strong and both Dave Cousins and Tony Hooper have pleasant sounding voices and the skills to perform harmonies which are both intriguing and beautiful. Considering that this is a 1969 release, the sound production is professional and well sounding. All details are heard and there´s a nice organic sound to the instruments and the vocals. Upon conclusion it´s a strong debut release by The Strawbs. It could have been even stronger had they gone for a more dedicated progressive folk rock sound (like they do on "Pieces of 79 and 15" and "The Battle"), and not combined it with mainstream oriented elements, but as it is it´s still a good quality release and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.