A CHICKEN TO HUG

Caedmon returns to the scene again with their second album, many years after their first album. Actually, that album was released back in 1978. I refer to the interview with the band for further informations.

I do not have their first album so I cannot comment on the musical development between the first and the second album. I have noticed the difference between the fashion styles and hair lenghts between these two albums. See photos in the interview.

Well, back to the music. Caedmon is in fine folk rock form on A Chicken To Hug. Folk rock based on male and female vocals, bass, tangents, drums and guitars. Nothing fancy. Just the band and some good tunes. The vocals are great and so is the other instruments.

The songs are very much in the old English and even the US west coast tradition. That means folk rock with prog and pop influences. But most of all; vocals driven folk rock. There is not many fancy solos here. Besides of a couple of good electric guitar and Hammond solos, that is.

The album trundles along nicely without ever reaching the dizzy heights of greatness. As per usual, the lack of some really killer tracks is my main gripe. But the many prog folk fans here should check out Caedmon on both this album and on stage.

Good, but not all the way to the top of Ben Nevis.

3 stars