The Coral Album: “Butterfly House”

After listening to 'The Butterfly House' for about two weeks, I'm still trying hear the actual tunes rather than be distracted by John Leckie's heavy-handed production. A few songs stand out as being up there with the best that The Coral have recorded but they would have been better served with the more clear, sparse production that accompanied their last effort, 'Roots & Echoes'.

The biggest crime here is how James Skelly's incredible voice has been buried in the mix.

I suggest that you listen to selected songs on youtube or elsewhere to get a feel of this release. Try '1000 Years' as I feel it's the best (or worst) example of Mr. Leckie's handywork. It sounds psychedelic but it's really gone way past that. Obviously John Leckie alone can't be blamed for the sound of the record, the band had to have agreed with his choices but, sadly, I feel they made a mistake.

The five songs on the second CD don't detract from the overall feel of the main disc and offer nothing spectacular that could have been on disc 1.

Another good album by the coral. Slightly more mellow sound than their usual but still very good. Great musicianship and songwriting as always.

The Coral began in 1996, throwing up a nearly unlistenable, raw mix of garage-rock punk with psychedelic overtones. With each succeeding album, they gradually honed their songcraft, learned their instruments, tamed their yelling, added acoustic guitars, and built up layered harmonies and subtle psych production touches to deliver their best album yet. Cross The Byrds, The Doors, and Oasis, toss in minor-key songs about green-eyed ladies, Coney Island, and century-long romances, and you have an idea of what The Coral have become. "More than a Lover" starts the trip, and it's a retro, funhouse ride from there.

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They define what will be know as a legendary band in 30 years....that's all I can say!