First Utterance

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First Utterance
Studio album by Comus
Released	1971
Recorded	November - December 1970
Genre	Progressive Rock
Length	49:17
Label	Dawn
Producer(s)	Barry Murray
Professional reviews
AMG link
Comus chronology
	First Utterance (1971)	To Keep from Crying (1974)

First Utterance is the debut album of the British progressive rock band Comus. It was released in 1971, with the opening song Diana being released as a single. Unfavorable reviews, combined with a postal strike, resulted in low sales, and the band quickly dissolved after its release.

First Utterance was notable for its unique blend of progressive rock, folk, psychedelia, and elements of paganism and the macabre. Songs focus on themes of violence ("Drip Drip"), rape ("Diana", "Song to Comus"), and insanity ("The Prisoner"). These themes are particularly surprising when one considers the acoustic sound of the record, which usually features acoustic guitar, violin, flute, and female harmonies. In recent years First Utterance has grown to be reconginzed in some circles as a minor classic. The band Opeth in particular has helped the band achieve a higher profile, citing its lyrics in album and song titles. Experimental outfit Current 93 also covered "Diana" as the opening song on their 1990 LP Horse.

[edit] Track listing

1. "Diana" - 4:37
2. "The Herald" - 12:15
3. "Drip Drip" - 10:56
4. "Song to Comus" - 7:31
5. "The Bite" - 5:27
6. "Bitten" - 2:16
7. "The Prisoner" - 6:15

[edit] Personnel

• Roger Wootton - acoustic guitar, lead vocals
• Glen Goring - 6-12 acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide, hand drums, vocals
• Andy Hellaby - fender bass, slide bass, vocals
• Colin Pearson - violin, viola
• Rob Young - flute, oboe, hand drums
• Bobbie Watson - vocals, percussion

[edit] Miscellanea

The cover artwork was drawn by Roger Wootton, lead singer and songwriter of the band.