SPIRIT OF THE SOUP

Comparable to early STEELEYE SPAN albums recorded without drums, the MORRIGAN's debut is a surprisingly cohesive and mature effort in which the band never strays far from its folk roots but easily manages to eclipse most if not all traditional fare in vibrancy and creativity. the lack of standard percussion envelopes the melodies in an eerie calm, addition by subtraction, and allows the group to focus on building their own identity. But "Spirit of the Soup" is a demure suitor, preferring to be approached and cuddled, notwithstanding a few romps.

The two longest cuts are the major highlights. "The Executioner's Song" begins as a meditation thanks to reedy synthesizers, but transforms into a moody epic with Alexander accompanied those keys and rocky bass, while the album closer "The Great Sun" is a lesson in vocal harmonies that would increasingly focus the group in future releases. IT reminds me of earth oriented feminist music from the 1980's though I can't quite pinpoint whom. "Off the Rails" is a silly but fun ditty that is far better than STEELEYE"s throwaway numbers ever were, while "Agincourt" and the early version of "Dribbles of Brandy" confirm that the MORRIGAN are well capable of all our rocking even at this early stage, and MASSON's guitars are fiery if not yet as OLDFIELD oriented as they would later become.

I do not shun the spirit, but in this first MORRIGAN album we also have the aroma, flavor, and, indeed, the love of the soup. Do not by pass it if you are a fan of singular interpretations of Celtic folk rock.