Comus
To Keep From Crying

Second and last work of Comus, an undeservedly unknown and eccentric English group. Unfortunately, even those who could be considered, with a bit more consideration, an interesting and innovative progressive band, succumb to a tempting commercial proposal clearly outlined in the tracks of this album.

The start nostalgically remembers the stony and haunting rhythms of "First Utterance," which leaves a trail of just four or five minutes, only to collapse into a style far too similar to other emerging groups of that era. Despite everything, it can still be said that it is a work that leaves some mark in the memory of the most meticulous listeners. By thoroughly exploring the abyss dug in the first album, one can find some interesting pieces.

We are, however, forced to forget the mossy instruments present in the opening of Comus's career, just as we have to forget Wootton's aeolian vocal sorties, the sinister echoes of the choirs, although some valid traces remain, the hand-beaten drums, now struck by conveniently comfortable sticks, and the chiselled arpeggios replaced by improbable riffs of essential craftsmanship.

The female voice prevails, with an interesting and very high-pitched timbre, there is still some trace of apparent and ingenious discord in the much more elastic vocal ranges than the first effort. At some points, a more attentive ear might even catch something of Janis Joplin, obviously of a much lower abrasive level and a much smoother timbre than the extravagant American blues girl.

Noteworthy are "Figure in Your Dreams", "Children of the Universe", and "Perpetual Motion". But I repeat, if you want to listen to dark gothic thickets animated by indecipherable sinuous shadows, impromptu sorties of howling females, atavistic contortions of suffering humanoids, and wild percussion of smoky skins, you have to change the support. "First Utterance" is what you're looking for. "To Keep From Crying" is the orchestral epitaph of the announced breakup of a group that abandons itself to the necessary quiet life, following uncertain solo paths.