The Journey

In an era where precious little truly stands out as pushing that elusive envelope Voice Of The Seven Woods are one of a select few who can claim to be producing music that is truly original .A beguiling mixture of folk , psychedelic and krautrock with jazz infusions and the occasional percolation of world music this album has more inventiveness and ideas contained within its ten songs than the entire Mercury music prize nomination list.
Voice Of The Seven Woods is one man essentially -Rick Tomlinson who plays guitar, oud?, sitar, piano and percussion . He is complimented by ex Broadcast drummer Chris Walmsley also on percussion and piano and Pete Hedley who plays eclectic bass and violin . The bands name and the sleeve photography not to mention the song titles suggests some elemental connection with nature and there is an almost organic feel about the music at times , almost as if it has evolved or gestated rather than as a result of normal song writing processes .
The music is mostly instrumental and often meandering but a sporadic vocal like on "Silver Morning Branches"-"I was woken by the sound of the sun"- or "Dusk Cloud" breaks the dulcet reverie and is welcome as it breaks the album up and adds variety .
I would like a little more of the vocals as Tomlinson has a pleasant lilting voice and it would perhaps have stopped the music's oblique nature which at times wanders down a cul de sac or becomes repetitive without being dynamic. This is a minor complaint and entirely in keeping with music this adventurous .When it gels like on the splendidly dextrous opener "Sand And Flames " or the psychedelic wig out "The Fire In My Head" it's superb .On the "Twisted Nerve" label and billed as a "Finder Keepers" production this album truly is a case of losers weepers. If you read this, buy it, don't miss out .