DÉJÀ FOU

I'm afraid that it may be time for David Cousins to hang it up. I just could not get past the fact that he sounds like an old man on this album. Previous albums showed that his voice was getting weaker, but here it has gone past the point of redemption. Musically, the album is a mixed bag. The scales tip more towards folky than prog, at least in terms of loudness. Most of the melodies and chord progressions are familiar to the point of mediocrity, and the lyrics seem uninspired. And what a crappy cover! Yes, the last song IS a real departure, but it's probably there only because Rod Coombes had a bargaining chip or two to play. And where's John Hawken? Missing In Action for most of the album... Two stars, but only for completionists and those who have an overwhelming need for more Strawbs product.