HERO AND HEROINE

Hero and Heroine is yet another fantastic Strawbs album. This album means alot to me in that it makes another attempt at a concept as "Grave New World" did. This album feels even more complete as a concept, actually, but the music for me does not quite meet the level of "Grave New World". That is not to say this is not masterful Strawbs stuff, because it is, ofcourse! Here the band is very tight and seems to be extremely comfortable in their new form and make some amazing strides in their sound. The songs are all wonderful on here, with "Hero and Heroine" reminiscent of the passion found in the good old "The Hangman and the Papist". This album jumps from melodic masterwork in beauty and melody to some pretty heavy and sometimes dark themes. This was another thing I loved about "Grave New World"; it's theme and mood were very uplifting and spiritual for me, espeiclaly with the large inner gatefold and the Buddhist quote inside. "Hero and Heroine" has songs like "Round and Round" which I absolutely adore, but almost wish the lyrics hadn't been so harsh (they don't fit the melody in my opinion). The biggest highs are found on "Autumn", "Shine on Silver Sun" and "Hero's Theme"'s ending moments...just incredible. "Autumn" is by far the best track, with the most incredible ending which we all love, "The Winter Long". This moment introduces us to another incredible member to be added to the "Bursting at the Seams" line-up, John Hawken, keyboardist from Renaissance. This man is brilliant, and his work is just so beautiful. His ending piano theme for "Winter Long" is a timeless classic that people everywhere love at first listen. I might also add that the entire ending from "Lay a Little Light On Me" into "Hero's theme" is just a classic prog moment, and one of the best album closers ever.

Overall this album really brings the final peices of this new Strawbs line-up into full view, and all of these members come together in bits and peices as well as full form to perform on stage all over the world today! This album should be experienced, even as an introduction to Strawbs, because it carries a new form and solidity for the band. Greatness as always, thank you Strawbs!!!!!!

Share this STRAWBS review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to The Lost Chord
• Report this review (#148390)
• Buy STRAWBS music online with PA partners
• Show all STRAWBS MP3/Stream
• Go to STRAWBS page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Hero And Heroine page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for STRAWBS related discussions