THE FATE OF OLD MOTHER ORVIS

This one isn't as heavy as their debut was at times, but we still have that Post-Rock / Psychedelic flavour front and center. The PINK FLOYD comparisons are very obvious on this one(I couldn't hear them on their debut) and there is a vocal track as well which is something new. Yes I can say that there is a Krautrock connection, especially on "Children Of The Crown". This band is from Suffolk, England and there is a theme to this album as all the songs are really stories(fiction) of events that have happened in the past in Suffolk. The cover art is a picture of a harbour at Suffolk called Dunwich. While these songs are mostly instrumental there is an accompanying story with each track.

"Dunwich" is about that harbour, and so we can hear the sounds of sea gulls, waves and a storm during this song. Sea gulls cry out to open before a PINK FLOYD-like soundscape takes over reminding me of the album "Wish You Were Here". The organ work is fantastic. A change after 2 1/2 minutes as the tempo picks up and then quickly settles down as mellotron, thunder and sea gulls can be heard. Post- Rock style guitars 4 minutes in as the song starts to build to a full sound to end it. "Mustard Men" is a killer track and the only one with vocals. This is very PINK FLOYD-like, especially the vocal style that reminds me of the "Meddle" album. The guitar led sections are contrasted with the calmer vocal passages. It's like PINK FLOYD has risen from the dead ! Ripping guitar 2 1/2 minutes in as a gale force wind of mellotron comes in. Check out the psychedelic section a minute later. So serene. It's like we're in the late sixties 5 1/2 minutes in. Post-Rock guitars a minute later to end it. "Bartholomew's Merman" sounds like the start of a Post-Rock tune until the synths come in strongly ala PINK FLOYD. It calms down 2 minutes in as strummed guitar leads the way. Bass comes in. It's building. Full sound after 3 1/2 minutes. It calms right down a minute later to end it.

"Children Of The Crown" sounds like a party with the sounds of people talking. Strummed guitar comes in before we get an eastern flavour. This is definitely Krautrock inspired. A baby can be heard laughing 5 minutes in as gentle guitar and organ take over. This is an amazing passage ! Drums and post-rock guitars after 7 minutes. "A Meeting At The Red Barn" is a short instrumental. Sounds like some mandolin or harp in this one as it calms down before 2 minutes. "The Fate Of Old Mother Orvis" is the 18 minute closing track. The sound slowly builds, and it sounds incredible. Someone is speaking in the background.It turns very psychedelic and eerie after 3 minutes(it's about witches). It changes 5 minutes in as guitar and drums take over and build. A powerful, psychedelic wall of sound is the result. It changes again 12 minutes in to a spacey climate. A guitar / drum melody with banjo comes in and builds.

The first one was more difficult to get into but once I did it's still getting better.This one is more accessible and seems to be most people's favourite.