Horslips - The Book of Invasions: A Celtic Symphony '1976 [2008]

Tracks list

That which does not kill me will make me stronger might well have been the motto
that Horslips adopted after the release of The Unfortunate Cup of Tea, their
1975 release. That album, generally regarded as their weakest, somehow gave rise
to this, perhaps their strongest. Returning to their original formula of rock &
roll, folk, and prog rock, Book of Invasions rivals 1973s The Tain as their most
consistent and creative, and established the band as that decades preeminent
purveyor of those three entwined genres. Neither Fairport Convention nor
Steeleye Span rocked as convincingly or consistently as they did, and Jethro
Tulls fleeting folk fancies didnt qualify them as a folk-rock outfit. Often
compared to Ian Andersons group, Horslips furthered that notion with the opening
chord progression of The Power and the Glory, which is quite reminiscent of
Tulls Locomotive Breath. John Feans electric guitar playing (especially when in
tandem with Barry Devlins bass) frequently conjures up Martin Barre comparisons.
But it would be unfair to infer that this album is anything less than an
original. Along with the groups first two albums (Happy to Meet Sorry to Part
and The Tain) Book of Invasions: A Celtic Symphony set the standard for how
next-generation Celtic rock albums would be judged. The degree to which they
incorporated fiddles, concertinas, accordions, mandolin, tin whistles, and
uilleann pipes into a rock & roll band was unprecedented in the 70s. This record
was and is their crowning achievement.

Tracks:

01. Daybreak (2:31)
02. March Into Trouble (0:51)
03. Trouble (With a Capital T) (3:24)
04. The Power and the Glory (3:57)
05. The Rocks Remain (2:49)
06. Dusk (0:38)
07. Sword of Light (4:56)
08. Dark (1:38)
09. Warm Sweet Breath of Love (3:26)
10. Fantasia (My Lagan Love) (2:55)
11. King of the Morning, Queen of Day (4:33)
12. Sideways to the Sun (4:46)
13. Drive the Cold Winter Away (0:36)
14. Ride to Hell (4:08)

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