SOLANACEAE

While the prolific overarching project of Kim Larsen, :OF THE WAND AND THE MOON, is classified as neo folk and therefore could potentially slip into the minimum security doors of progarchives as did groups like CURRENT 93, it's really in SOLANACEAE that Larsen has indulged his prog folk ambitions, which to date has yielded but one full length album and a shared single. Leaving aside the dodgy post industrial template of DEATH IN JUNE, he waxes pastoral here, and though similar tendencies to repeat themes and speak more than sing do establish the connection, this only results in boredom here or there rather than the more common affront I feel when listening to OTWATM. Take that as you will.

As a folkie, I can easily find enough in here to keep me content if not ecstatic, particularly on "The Blood of My Lady", "Though the Trees Spears the Sun", "Hemlock and Mandrake Fields", and most notably on the rapturous "Midnight Garden", which masses wave upon wave of lush acoustic guitar and strings with whispered and harmonious voice. Also of note is the pastoral instrumental "Fennella". While SOLANACEAE is the scientific name for the deadly nightshade family, the mood here is more of earth centered mysticism than foreboding, more eggplant than belladonna.

Ultimately, the sameness of OTWATM does permeate SOLANACEAE, where tracks don't so much build on each other as viscously merge. While one could assume there will be no further offerings, even OTWATM had lain dormant for almost a decade before the 2021 release so hopefully Larsen has another collection of deep woods themes in his and our future.