PARCEL OF ROGUES

While BTS sold well, most fans will point to Parcel Of Rogues as their best effort of the time. The group's unchanged line-up chose a less historic/medieval artwork of BTS for a very pastoral almost modern milk cooperative Art-Nouveau tile artwork, which I find unsuited for both the title and the songs that fill it. Indeed "bunch of villains" are out for their sturdiest, rockier, louder and most unlawful album around, where one of the two guitarists obviously could not tone his electric guitar down and it unfortunately ruins the album's overall effectiveness.

Starting on the awkward Misty Moisty Morning, the album indicates that electrical elements will be more present and determinant than before, but the pedal-steered electric guitar doesn't impress, the song is a pure bore. The following Alison Gross is probably SS's most daring song and certainly the album's highlight. Hell this might be a Gentle Giant reworking of an old track, if it wasn't for the vocals and the same useless electric guitar screwing it up. You'll find the same bold and daring attitude in that crazy Robbery With Violins jig, where they're obviously trying to pull the answer to East of Eden Jig-A-Jig, but ultimately fail. Fortunately that awful guitar is gone (well almost) for the dramatic Bold Poacher, although this track could've been turned around to have some real intensity. Another solid track is Can Ye Over Frae France, where the mid-range drone behind the drum allows for some drama, especially with the electric guitar surges of power, providing a very unusual track, the second highlight of the album. BTW, the France and Rogues tracks are part of an adaptation of Robert Stevenson's Kidnapped

There are also the bunch of average tracks that usually abound on SS albums, although it's unfair to really call them fillers, but Ups And Downs, Wee Wee Man, Weaver And Factory Maid, Rogues in A Nation and the very boring Here On The Mountain are just run-of-the-mill tracks that wouldn't have found space on their debut album.

While quite imperfect, Parcel Of Rogue is among SS's most accomplished album as a rock act and probably so again if you're a proghead, although you won't have that much to sink your teeth into in terms of prog contents; but if you're a folkie, you'll really prefer Hark over POR. Hardly essential, but could be a good introduction to the band for progheads who have either too much time or cash, or have exhausted all other avenues in folk territory. Parcel Of Rogues or Package Of Rascals????