Momus meets Comus

[imomus]

Comus are one of the lesser-known British folk groups of the early 70s. In stark contrast to the mild (and wonderful) hippy visions of, say, The Incredible String Band, Comus painted a dark and schizoid picture of life. They were championed by David Bowie early on, and may have influenced his 'Man Who Sold The World' album; tales of rape and murder abound on the first Comus album, 'First Utterance' (1971). Three years later came 'To Keep From Crying', a much lighter and more commercial affair which most observers seem to think is a disappointment (although I notice some Japanese magazines rate it higher than the debut). I haven't actually heard either record, just the mp3 I'm linking here, but will be buying the re-issued 'First Utterance' when I get to Japan later in the summer. From what I've heard, Comus sound rather like Marc Bolan in his early days, or even John Lydon circa PiL's 'Flowers of Romance' album. And I like their arrangement style -- only one electric instrument (the bass) and no drumkit.

* Chris Blackford essay on Comus: A Million Fleshy Things

* Andee Connors essay on Comus: Tempest in a Teapot

* A Comus mp3: Diana

* 'First Utterance' lyrics

'i', the new album from The Magnetic Fields is now out. Here's a promising sound clip, I Don't Believe You (courtesy Other Music. By the way, for those who've been asking, Other Music mail order is the recommended way to buy 'Summerisle' in the US).

Brooklyn's Animal Collective is an interesting group. Their new album 'Sung Tongs' comes out this week. Here's their mp3 Slippi.

Comments

Comus

[(Anonymous)]

Hello!
The two records are so different that you really wonder what happened between them. Myself I prefer the second one. Almost like a folksy Free Design, really cute folk-power-pop with the song in incredibly high pitch (which is always a good thing).

But I guess Momus, now in his avant garde phase, will prefer the first. Kahimi Karie fans, go for the second!

/Petter