A Sweeping Curve of Sound

Two English reviews of Goldfrapp’s new album “Seventh Tree”, a work that is inspired by the idea of paganism, reference the cult film The Wicker Man and actress Britt Ekland (who performed a famous nude dance scene in the film).

The Times:

“But does it really amount to a folk album, “surreal” or otherwise? Well yes, if only in the impure sense understood by people who barely knew their trad arrs from their elbows when they first saw Britt Eckland’s stunt double disrobing amid the pagan weirdness of The Wicker Man. You can quibble over terms later. But while Seventh Tree is playing, you’ll want to do little other than bask. “

The Guardian:

“Seventh Tree’s accompanying blurb depicts Goldfrapp and Gregory, secluded in Somerset, coming up with the notion of making a Wicker Man-influenced psychedelic folk album. This seems a bit much, given the legions of artists that have made Wicker Man-influenced psychedelic folk albums in recent years: walk into any new-folk club and you risk being deafened by the slap of twigs on Britt Ekland’s bum. “

So does pagan-influenced in England automatically call up that classic cult film? It should be interesting to see what other parallels reviewers make in the near future.

Alison Goldfrapp’s new album “Seventh Tree” (out February 25th) leaves aside the electro-glam trappings for a foray into “weird” folk and psychedelic sounds. Goldfrapp recently told an interviewer that the new album was inspired by “paganism”.

“Describing the material as psychedelic, she explained: ‘We’ve been inspired by this idea of paganism and the surreal themes in traditional English children’s books.’”

You can see this new Pagan-inspired esthetic in the video for the first single from “Seventh Tree”: “A&E”, which features dancing figures made of leaves and greenery, with Alison Goldfrapp as a goddess-like figure of worship in flowing white.

I’m very much looking forward to hearing (and seeing) more of this. You can expect tracks from “Seventh Tree” to pop up on “A Darker Shade of Pagan” in the near-future.

In other Pagan-inspired news, today is the start of Pantheacon, the largest indoor Pagan-oriented convention on the west coast (just in time to celebrate Lupercalia). If you are attending, be sure to stop by Anne Hill’s Serpentine Music booth where you’ll find some great A Darker Shade of Pagan-approved merchandise and swag. Including copies of Monica Richard’s masterful “InfraWarrior” CD, and a chance to pre-order a physical copy of the amazing “John Barleycorn Reborn” compilation. Plus, if you give the “secret blog-reader handshake” Anne may show you my list of music recommendations!