The 5000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion Review

07/13/2005 4:28 AM, AMG


For their second album, the ISB officially reduced to the duo of Mike Heron and Robin Williamson. Lumped in with the psychedelic movement, that categorization was probably more due to the trippy cover graphics, the occasional Indian influences, and the whimsical, sometimes fantasy-ridden lyrical images than the music. It's more like a slightly cosmic version of traditional British folk than psychedelic rock. Although their next album, The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, is usually considered their most adventurous, some listeners may find this to be the more accessible effort. It also featured what is probably Williamson's best-known song, "First Girl I Loved" (also familiar via Judy Collins' cover version, "First Boy I Loved"). ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide