The Voyage of Icarus

Description

The Voyage of Icarus is a compilation CD by the American folk-rock band Silmaril, released on Locust Music in 2007. This collection brings together cuts from the band’s sole, self-released, album Given Time or the Several Roads (1, 3, 6-9, 11, 12 & 16), and the unreleased No Mirrored Temple. The songs were recorded in Milwaukee, 1973-1974.

Milwaukeeans Silmaril have an artistic progressive acid folk style that one more often hears in British groups like The Incredible String Band. The liner notes state that they came from a Catholic background; and judging from their band name they apparently also had an interest in J. R. R. Tolkien. This is an amazingly good recording for a custom production, one that brings to mind those UK folk rarities that go for enormous dollars. Nine of the nineteen tracks are from a 300-press 1973 album called Given Time Or The Several Roads that was primarily non-religious in nature. The remaining songs are from an unreleased album of Christian-themed songs that was recorded shortly thereafter. Songs are typically gentle, ethereal, mysterious, brooding and loner-edged, beautiful melodies often minimally arranged and shrouded in a minor key, with alternating fragile male and female lead singers. Musical backing is primarily from acoustic guitar, periodically filled in with touches of instruments like mandolin, soft electric guitar, recorder, percussion and cymbals. Sitar accentuates the psychedelic angle on «Vespers» and the title track, while «Living Stone» receives a similar vibe from the fuzz guitar. «Revelation 13:11-18» includes some creative synthesizer backing, while the more rock-edged «Song Of The Apocalypse» adds drums and a bit of rugged electric guitar. Some of the other titles with spiritual themes include «Holy Holy», «Maranatha», «Lamb Of God» and a cover of «Babylon». A fascinating and refreshingly original work that’s quite unlike anything else in Christian music, and a must-have for folk/psych enthusiasts. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

CD tracklist:

01. Poustinia – 3:43
02. Not Enough – 3:54
03. Windbridge – 2:00
04. Vespers – 2:31
05. Living Stone – 4:43
06. Given Time – 2:14
07. Harrow Hill – 4:00
08. October Road/Sleeping Magnificat – 6:47
09. Voyage Of The “Icarus” – 2:21
10. Holy Holy – 1:58
11. Plymouth Bay – 5:13
12. Velvet And Gold The Dancer – 3:21
13. Babylon – 2:07
14. Maranatha – 2:20
15. Vita Brevis – 0:30
16. The Coming Storm – 0:56
17. Lamb Of God – 1:21
18. Revelation 13:11-18 – 2:26
19. Song Of The Apocalypse – 6:16

Note: Also released as a Limited Edition 12-inch vinyl double LP (pressed in 525 numbered copies).