First Utterance
by Comus
- Type: Album
- Released: 1971
- Label: Dawn DNLS 3019, Dawn
- Country: United Kingdom
- Length: 1:11:24
- Community rating: 4.27/5 from 23 ratings
Artists on this release: Roger Wootton, Rob Young, Glenn Goring, Andy Hellaby, Colin Pearson, Bobbie Watson
Album Notes & Community Reviews
Comus's debut album 'First Utterance' sets harrowing lyrical themes of paganism, violence, and madness against a primarily acoustic, progressive folk backdrop of intricate guitars, violin, and flute. The songwriting's unsettling power is driven by the dynamic interplay between Roger Wootton's frenzied, sometimes falsetto vocals and Bobbie Watson's ethereal harmonies, creating a theatrical and sinister atmosphere within the band's largely percussive arrangements. Despite initial commercial failure, the record became a touchstone for the acid folk genre and a significant influence on later experimental and metal artists.
Genres
Descriptors: folk, british, acoustic, medieval, storytelling
Tracklist
- Diana (04:34)
- The Herald (12:08)
- Drip Drip (10:51)
- Song to Comus (07:27)
- The Bite (05:26)
- Bitten (02:16)
- The Prisoner (06:14)
- Diana (04:22)
- In the Lost Queen's Eyes (02:47)
- Winter Is a Coloured Bird (07:58)
- All the Colours of Darkness (07:21)
Credits
- Roger Wootton - acoustic guitar, lead vocals, cover art, songwriter
- Glenn Goring - 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars, electric guitar, slide guitar, hand drums, backing vocals, centerfold artwork
- Andy Hellaby - fender bass, slide bass, backing vocals
- Colin Pearson - violin, viola
- Rob Young - flute, oboe, hand drums
- Bobbie Watson - lead and backing vocals, percussion
- Barry Murray - producer
- Jeff Calver - recording, engineer