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Reviews

Roy Harper — The Dream Society
(Science Friction HUCD030, 1998, CD)

by Jeff Melton, Published 1999-01-01

The Dream Society Cover art

Being known as a freaky folky friend to 70s English rock superstars must be pretty annoying to Roy Harper. However, it's exciting to see him receive some well deserved U.S. promotion in support of his 34th album! I hadn't heard any albums from Mr. Folk-Joke-Opus since 1988's Descendant of Smith and this album is a dramatic improvement. "Songs of Love Pt. 2" is one of the rockier tracks with additional backing female vocals, which contrasts with several of the acoustic pieces throughout the disc. Another standout song, "Psychopath" features Roy's amusing anecdotal delivery in a cowboy rave up format. Harper's voice is simultaneously the draw and drawback to accepting him as a consummate artist of merit. Imagine an English Bob Dylan who started out in Haight Ashbury and then hung out with the hippies instead of political activist groups. To be fair, Harper's lyrics are strung full of political commentary by a rambly compassionate man who should have been a star 30 years ago but somehow lost out. Subject matter varies from your typical boy-meets-girl scenario, but with the worldly spin which keeps you guessing about the real underlying point being made. The album is a vehicle for exceptional acoustic guitar work as always by Roy and his son Nick. Tracks such as "The Dream Society" fall squarely into the category of progressive folk rock with some basic old time rock and roll tendencies. Ian Anderson from Tull and Ric Sanders from Fairport make cameo appearances too. The liner notes are extremely detailed and feature some fine work by cartoonist George Fort, who captures the essence of Roy's liberal ideals while creating a visage of modern and Indian cave drawings. A special interview bonus disc accompanies certain copies.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 16, 1998 releases

Related artist(s): Ian Anderson, Roy Harper, Ric Sanders

 

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