THE BROADSWORD AND THE BEAST

More personnel changes, with Peter John-Vettese brought in on keyboards and synths and Gerry Conway on drums, along with Dave Pegg on bass. The band returns to more folk-style songs and themes here, and acoustic instrumentation, after the big changes in personnel and style for the previous album, A, but now also incorporating more synths and electronics as well. Thus, more synths and less acoustic guitar, but the songs and arrangements are quite good overall, although ends a bit weakly compared to rest of album. A fine album, certainly worth checking out and revisiting, but not at the level of their '70's output. Best tracks: Clasp, Fallen on Hard Times, Flying Colors, Slow Marching Band, Pussy Willow. Weaker tracks: Seal Driver, Cheerio. Rating 3.5