Strawbs - "Hero And Heroine" (1974)

Strawbs is / was an English band that was created already in 1964. As is customary in the music industry members have come and gone. Some who have appeared are Sandy Denny (later of Fairport Convention), Rick Wakeman (who went to Yes), and Blue Weaver (who played with acts such as Bee Gees and Mott the Hoople ). Kind of authorities, wouldn't you say? At the time of the recording of Hero and Heroine the band consisted of Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, John Hawken, Chas Cronk and Rod Coombes, where the latter three were new members.

Also regarding genres Strawbs have had various guises, they have played bluegrass, folk, glam and progressive. Today it's the last genre they are most associated with. I think Hero and Heroine was their seventh studio album and was the successor to their great success Bursting at the Seams.

It opens nicely with the beautiful suite Autumn, which consists of three parts. This is a strong opening and had the LP continued in the same way it had been a masterpiece. At this point maybe the listener's expectations goes up too high concerning the rest of the album, because it becomes a little more up and down. I think side A is the high point, even if the B-side certainly also has its strengths, such as Round and Round or Lay a Little Light on Me.

In addition to the standard instruments guitar, bass and drums, we also hear piano, synth and mellotron a lot on the album.

The record wasn't a success in England, but in the states it looked brighter and Strawbs focused, therefore, some time on this continent. Allmusic.com writes on the album (and give it 4.5 out of 5 in their rating):

"...which, coupled with new band's muscular playing, made the Strawbs one of the hardest-rocking progressive bands in the world. They should have been able to blow acts like the Moody Blues off the stage, so what went wrong with this album and the tour? One suspects it was a little too serious and complex for kids who were just looking for a soundtrack to their drug experiences, and it rocked too hard for the "sensitive" English-major types who got off on Cousins' lyrics ..."

When I listen to Hero and Heroine, I get the insight I often get when I hear music from the 60's and 70's - every song has its own character and it seems to be some work and serious thought behind every creation. This in contrast to much of today's commercial music that feels much more mass produced, planed and sandpapered to not stick out and provoke in any way. Then I get the insight that I sound old and that you can't compare today's commercial radio music with yesterdays (perhaps less commercial) progressive music. I know it's good music being done today too, it's just that I don't hear it that often. Help me, I'm stuck in the past!

Anyway, I like this album, it's a relative newcomer to my collection, and spontaneously, it feels like a good buy. The listener is treated to a bit of everything, there are sweeping, bombastic choruses (oooh, I'm a sucker for those), a touch of psychedelia, some humble and not too difficult progressive parts, some hot smokin' rockers (which I could do without) and a few quieter songs. Everything isn't good, but the overall picture is still a fully accepted member on the record shelf. Allmusic.com suspected the album of being a little too complex for some of the audience, but I don't agree with this. In my world it's a fairly straightforward album, at least compared to many other progressive creations.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Autumn: Heroine's Theme / Deep Summer Sleep / The Winter Long 8:27

2. Sad Young Man 4:08

3. Just Love 3:40

4. Shine On Silver Sun 2:47

Side B

1. Hero and Heroine 3:21

2. Midnight Sun 3:12

3. Out In the Cold 3:18

4. Round and Round 4:43

5. Lay A Little Light On Me 3:27

6. Hero's Theme 2:27