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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Gellit
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
On first listen I thought one thing; christ, what a dirge!
I'd bought this (as i do much of my music) without listening first and purely on the strength of it making the Mojo end of year list and recommendations online. I checked the reviews again and gave it a chance when I had time to take it in, and it didn't take long for it to really grow.
Like a lot of albums that you have to put some effort into, this one repays you in full. It is rich, warm and delightful regardless of the fact I can't understand one single word and reminds me of mist ridden castles in the middle ages.
A record to immerse yourself in, or give it a miss completely.
I'd bought this (as i do much of my music) without listening first and purely on the strength of it making the Mojo end of year list and recommendations online. I checked the reviews again and gave it a chance when I had time to take it in, and it didn't take long for it to really grow.
Like a lot of albums that you have to put some effort into, this one repays you in full. It is rich, warm and delightful regardless of the fact I can't understand one single word and reminds me of mist ridden castles in the middle ages.
A record to immerse yourself in, or give it a miss completely.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is absolutely stunning! It must be a candidate for best album of the year! Espers II is gloriously dark, fabulously beautiful slice of psychedelic folk rock. Reminiscent of the music of "The Wicker Man", it outdoes this and more evoking 50 minutes of shear dreamy paganesque magnificence. It opens with an acoustic guitar on "Dead Queen" that bears more than a passing resemblance to the opening bars of Stairway to Heaven. However this is no rip off of Zeppelin circa the folkier bits of III and IV. The vocals on this track and throughout the album are just sublime. At the same time the music is truly beautiful and perfectly complements the singing. The second track, "Widow's Weed", is darker. The acoustics are joined by powerful, menacing electric guitar and drums. There's almost a bit of Floyd's "Echoes" towards the end of this (you know the middle part with the crows etc). After this the album calms down to the melodic but melancholy "Cruel Storm". Again the vocals are superb. Then we move on to "Children of Stone", probably the best track on the album. Reminiscent of Fairport Convention at their best. After that "Mansfield and Cyclops" feels like a bit of an anticlimax but it still excellent. "Dead King" is next. This again captures the spirit of the album as a whole. Very dark and epic in its scope. Starting with a beautiful flute melody it buils throughout via lots of drums and some well-used electronics. The final track (a little like the Incredible String Band with electric guitars?) is not quite up to the standard of the rest but that's such a high standard its not surprising. This is a fabulously rich piece of work. You could get yourself very lost for 50 minutes listening to this. Definitely worth buying.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Dr. D. B. Sillars
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
This album has garnered a lot of attention and much admiration for its blend of weird retro psychedelic folk, taking in the likes of Incredible String Band, Fairport Convention, Pentangle, acoustic Led Zeppelin and Paul Giovanni's off-centre folk soundtrack to "The Wicker Man". But to these prog ears there is so much more I hear in this wonderfully eclectic and inspired music. I am reminded strongly of the more melodic and introspective songs of early King Crimson, like "I Talk To The Wind", "Cadence and Cascade" and "Lady of the Dancing Water". Lots of nice flute too. Judy Dyble from early Fairports was part of a very early version of Crimson. But there are a lot of modern prog comparisons too. Bands like Anglagard and particularly Anekdoten come very much to mind. These bands blend folk elements well into their dark music. So do Norways White Willow, especially their first album "Ignis Fatuus", where the band utilised a multitude of acoustic instrumentation. Even Opeths "Damnation" comes into the equation. The band have never referenced prog influences but it is very much in evidence. Maybe they are exploring the roots of a certain type of late 60's music which eventually branched out into prog.
I do like this album very much. The band utilise layers of instruments to define a certain archaic atmosphere to the songs. Each song slowly divulges its riches as guitars, cellos, keyboards, percussion come in and out of the mix. The arrangements are perfect. These guys know how to wring out the most from their material. What synth sound would fit here, what fuzzy guitar solo would work there! I don't know much about the band, but these are not some rambling indie noiseniks. The musicianship and songwriting is very high and it's obvious they know what they are doing and do it very well.
This album was a bit of surprise and not what I expected to hear from the write ups I had read. But it was a very enjoyable surprise indeed.
I do like this album very much. The band utilise layers of instruments to define a certain archaic atmosphere to the songs. Each song slowly divulges its riches as guitars, cellos, keyboards, percussion come in and out of the mix. The arrangements are perfect. These guys know how to wring out the most from their material. What synth sound would fit here, what fuzzy guitar solo would work there! I don't know much about the band, but these are not some rambling indie noiseniks. The musicianship and songwriting is very high and it's obvious they know what they are doing and do it very well.
This album was a bit of surprise and not what I expected to hear from the write ups I had read. But it was a very enjoyable surprise indeed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like a medieval Slowdive
Which should either have you running for the hills or warmly embracing this album like an old friend.
Published on 2 Mar 2010 by Mr. R. Bungay
1.0 out of 5 stars
Possibly even worse than Espers 1
Wouldnt have thought twice as many people could continue in the Weak and Thin vein, but I was proved wrong, anyone want to buy a copy that has only been played once? Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2008 by Man of Kent
4.0 out of 5 stars
Acoustic gothic folk
A great album, I can't believe most reviews compare espers to Devendra Banhart!? this couldn't be further from the truth. Read more
Published on 30 July 2007 by Mr. Owain D. Gwilym
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dark psychedelic folk
This is dark psychedelic folk music. Reminiscent of some 60's/70's but not at all twee and cheery, which makes it in some ways better if you ask me. Read more
Published on 26 April 2007 by Mr. J. P. Shields
4.0 out of 5 stars
Give this album time!
To be honest the first time i listened to this album i thort it was too physcodelic, too dark and too samy......... and you might think the same. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2007 by Joel Halkes
3.0 out of 5 stars
Esp-stonishing
Take no notice of all the flowery rubbish (what is proggy?? wake up,smell)
Quite frankly this album is staggeringly superb and stands on its own. Read more
Quite frankly this album is staggeringly superb and stands on its own. Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2006 by Glenn Showler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Espers II
Having enjoyed a track or two on samplers such as 'Comes with a Smile' , I felt compelled to purchase this album after reading some suitably excellent reviews touching on this... Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2006 by Jason Parkes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dark Folk
I bought this after reading a short review in a magazine and have been playing it non-stop since I got it. How would you describe the music? Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2006 by Sandman_Dreaming
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