Art rock was in a dubious position in 1991: did one follow trends and just resign to being part of an obscure neo-prog. scene populated by such maligned entities as Marillion and IQ, or cut away from the cloth completely and try to shoot for the Top 40 through more intriguing means?
Leeds outfit The Violet Hour, thankfully, opted for the latter choice on their one and only release The Fire Sermon -- Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell, The Cure and All About Eve are far more likely to come to mind when listening through this eclectic 11-piece set of splendorous songs than anything some 30- year-old with too much wank up his keyboard might have cooked up.
Beyond some of the post-80's gothic touches and a stealthy jazz influence however, there's a definite folk edge across the record which draws one's mind to dreamier places than it might be accustomed to, due in part to the presence of instruments such as the flute playing a prominent role in a few songs. The result is a fantastic experience that'll bring plenty of other great music to ear & mind whilst planting a few noteworthy ideas of its own.
Summation: Neo-progressive rock for people who hate keyboard solos. Get it while it's hot!
Listen Here - "Dream Of Me"
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