HAUL AR YR EIRA

First of all thankyou Finnforest for the recommendation. I'll be the first to admit that Prog-Folk is my least favourite genre by a wide margin. I've spent more time with this than I usually would because I felt with all the high praise it gets it's the least I could do. So after 2 more spins this morning i've decided it's time to review it. I must admit this album is so well played and arranged, and with those Welsh vocals it brings a unique flavour. I did think of POPOL VUH a couple of times but really this band has a sound of their own.

"Haul Ar Yr Eira" the title track opens with harp before acoustic guitar and flute comes in. It kicks in with piano and drums before settling again as themes are repeated. Vocals 3 minutes in to the end. "Titrwm Tetrwm" opens with acoustic guitar and flute before male vocals join in. Female harmonies too. Good song. "Dechrau Y Gan" is my favourite. I really like the sound of the electric guitar here. Some organ too as light drums, vocals and flute help out. "Can Y Melinydd" is led by vocals and strummed guitar. Lots of flute later.

"Ni Welaf Yr Haf" features acoustic guitar, female vocals and flute. Sounds like mandolin a minute in as male vocals help out. "Royal Charter" is led by acoustic guitar, flute and male vocals. Guitar after 2 1/2 minutes as it picks up. "Gloyn Byw" features drums, strummed guitar, dual vocals and flute. "Llongau Caernarfon" is another good one with more of the same. "Hiraeth Y Mor" is a short acoustic instrumental. "Pan Ddaw Y Brenin Yn Ol" has some keyboards early and I like the electric guitar after 2 1/2 minutes. Nice. Nature sounds end it.

A good album but the best was yet to come.