SONG TO COMUS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

If you don't own the vinyl and want to discover Comus in the 21rst century this is the definitive CD collection to purchase. The advantages are numerous. First, this collection includes everything Comus recorded to my knowledge. Chronologically speaking, you get the three song maxi-single which preceded their first album. Two of these songs have a slightly different feel than the First Utterance material and are well worth hearing. Of course the masterpiece "First Utterance" is included with the bonus of an Utterance outtake called "All the Colours of Darkness" which was recorded during those sessions. Just as importantly, you get their second album called "To Keep From Crying" which features a different line-up and a sunnier folk-pop sound but nevertheless is a great album. (See my reviews of the individual albums for more details on the music.) You will read lots of negative reviews about their second album-but if you like accessible folk-rock/pop and don't try to compare it to their first album, you just might love it as I do. As a last bonus you get two Roger Wootton singles recorded after the second album although these didn't do too much for me personally.

Second, this collection features superb sound quality, especially on First Utterance. I have read that previous CD versions were pretty lame and can assure you they cleaned this release up nicely. Third, the packaging is perfect. Rather than subjecting us to the "box set" hell that most bands put you through, with cheap materials and nightmare digi holders and bulky eco-wasting boxes, the Comus package fits two CDs snugly in a standard jewel-case with a simple but informative bio. Mother Earth can breath a bit easier and the Comus pagans can fit this right on their CD shelf. Comus doesn't screw us by leaving off one little thing that the fans want, in order to include it on another package later for increased sales. Everything is here and everything is done well for the fans. I do not give 5 star ratings out to compilations as I use them sparingly for individual releases, but this Comus set is as good as it gets. The best news is that Comus has re-formed and are playing live dates in Europe and America in 2009. Catch them while you can. "Song to Comus" is an essential collection for prog/acid folkies.

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