Strawbs
The Broken Hearted Bride
(Cherry Red)
8.5/10
By Paul Davies


Originally released in 2008, this Chris Tsangerides helmed production has an even more deft punch on this remaster as though delivered by the album title's duped lady in white whose veil unwittingly hides a potential killer. Tsangerides' production certainly benefits Dave Cousin’s distinctive voice adding menace and drama as the opening song The Call To Action melds eastern musical tropes to heavy western folk-rock motifs. The riffed-up rock attack of the title song and Through Aphrodite’s Eyes nimbly pursue this heavyweight sonic approach. Whereas the uplifting charms of Christmas Cheer and the whimsical comforts of Too Many Angels and You Know As Well As I add a fine balance to the otherwise thrusting ballast at the core of this album. Personal tragedies are explored on Deep In The Darkest Night which is a heartfelt song about the passing of Dave’s younger brother Gerry. This, and the dramatic sweep of sounds on Shadowlands and Everybody Knows, provide more than a pause for thought amongst the thunderous revelry of artistry on show from this band of players who recorded the legendary Hero And Heroine and Ghosts albums in the 70s.

The addition of three unreleased demo tracks, and liner notes penned by Dave Cousins, makes this previously unavailable newly remastered and expanded recording an unassailable modern classic.