Liquid Acrobat As Regards the Air

Liquid Acrobat is an interesting ISB album. It comes after their not-so-well-received performance at Woodstock (mellowness sandwiched in between loud, bluesy rock) and as the ‘70s were taking hold. There was growing acrimony between its leaders, Robin Williamson and Mike Heron, and the girlfriends who provided harmonies and general support were gone as well (though “Liqourice” McKcKechnie turns up for her co-write on “Cosmic Boy”). With all this mess surrounding them, ISB still ordered things up with genuine enthusiasm and ambition. Williamson’s “Talking of the End” may be a bit of foreshadowing, but its progressive folk turns from gypsy violin to monk-like chants and Indian rhythms. “Dear Old Battlefield” jams on electric guitar and organ like an enlightened Jethro Tull. Heron’s “Worlds They Rise and Fall” is a genuinely tender tale that floats from acoustic balladry to keyboard-infused mysticism. Hard rock is attempted with ISB results for “Painted Chariot.” “Here Till Here Is There” is a nicely kept piece of child-like wonder that makes Donovan sound like a biker.