Bands similar to Comus?

My friend and I are big fans of Comus' first album, <i>First Utterance</i>, and are often disappointed when we remember that the band only made two albums in the early 70s. We want more!

We love the music and the lyrical content and we'd like to know if there are any modern prog folk bands that are similar. I would imagine there would be considering the lyrics I hear about from certain genres of metal. So anyone know of one (or a few)?

Thanks!

Edit: I forgot to mention that my friend found a band named Circulus that sound similar but I don't believe they have the dark (and disturbing) lyrics.

Edited by KeleCableII - July 16 2007 at 21:41

Generally the two Comus-like recommendations I see thrown around here are Jan Dukes de Grey - Mice and Rats in the Loft and Spirogyra - St. Radigunds. I really love the Jan Dukes de Grey album personally. Also thanks for bringing up Circulus, I'll have to check them out. As long as the music's there I'll be happy with it, as much as I love the crazy Comus lyrics. Ahh, if only they got to record that proper follow-up...

If anyone has more insight here its greatly appreciated, as First Utterance is likely my favorite thing ever recorded.

Edit: Ahh, I missed the modern thing also. Check out Mice and Rats in the Loft anyway though. As for something modern, maybe do some research into the Freak Folk/New Weird America scene that's going on? The popular ones are Espers, Joanna Newsom, Vetiver, acts like that (those in particular don't sound much like Comus though as far as I know). There could very well be some Comus influence in there somewhere, as there are tons of unknown bands in that vein.


Edited by Speesh - July 16 2007 at 22:00

Hm I checked the last.fm page for Circulus, they have full-length samples of one of their albums there

http://www.last.fm/music/Circulus

Sounds good so far, thanks!

Edited by Speesh - July 16 2007 at 22:12

Faun Fables. New, dark, weird and folky.
 
Their latest Transit Rider is ok, but a bit dissepointing. Check out the samples from their two previous: Mother Twilight and Family Album. Both brilliant.

Faun Fables at Myspace

The whole american newfolk scene is pretty great imo, but doesn't really remind me of Comus.  The ones already mentioned +  Josephine Foster, Devendra Banhart, Coco Rosie and to some extent Woven Hand/Sixteen Horsepower.

KeleCableII: Why does it have to be a modern band?

Btw: If you haven't already heard it: Comus' second album is truly awful.

KeleCableII wrote: My friend and I are big fans of Comus' first album, <i>First Utterance</i>, and are often disappointed when we remember that the band only made two albums in the early 70s. We want more! We love the music and the lyrical content and we'd like to know if there are any modern prog folk bands that are similar. I would imagine there would be considering the lyrics I hear about from certain genres of metal. So anyone know of one (or a few)? Thanks! Edit: I forgot to mention that my friend found a band named Circulus that sound similar but I don't believe they have the dark (and disturbing) lyrics.

Circulus are pretty good, but the closest comparison would probably be The Incredible String Band.