Spiral Castle - None but Seven

Available from: Spiral Castle, 37 Elm Road, Portslade, Brighton, E. Sussex, BN41 1SA.
£11.50 including postage.
Cheques payable to: Chris Tinniswood

Reviewed by Cerri

How do you do this? How do you review an album made by friends? The answer is as honestly as you can!
I have to admit that when the guys announced that they were going to record an album, I had a small worry about how they would sound recorded - anyone who has seen them perform will know how much energy and enthusiasm they put out which gives them a real connection with their audience. All of that could have been lost in a production studio. However, as usual my worries were completely unfounded. The production on None but Seven was done by band member Carl Sutterby (Ye Grande Wizzy Wiz of Wot Not) who added to the mystical dimensions of the songs with all kinds of effects. The songs include one or two that may be familiar to anyone who has been to OBOD gatherings such as Oak, Broom and Meadowsweet (Call the May) and On the Noon of the Solstice both of which are by Dave Smith (Damh the Bard), Wendel's Mount by Chris Tinniswood (Crisp) and She Moved through the Fair, a traditional tune all of which have been 'Castled' by the four guys, the only one not yet named being Rob Hall (Norbert Broadsword).
The production, the artwork and every instrument, (including the bed post played on the last track The Winter King - affectionately known as the 'Na-Na Song') utilised the talents of the band members. Spiral Castle have been dubbed 'Mystic Folk' which sounds good to me. I can't think of any better way to describe them!

The album keeps all of the infectious energy of the band and carries you along on its rhythm, so much so that when it ends your first thought is 'Why have you stopped? I was enjoying that!' Call me biased if you will, but I love it and it has not been out of my CD machine since I got it. But hey! Don't take my word for it, hear it for yourself!

I have only one complaint! At 42 minutes and some seconds it's too short!!!