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Strong start

1425¬No surprises on it, but album No.8 from the R&B songstress is attracting reasonable ratings so far¬True¬

Good morning

1629¬The Californian acoustic indie popsters look to be heading for a decent chart showing with their second album, produced by Grizzly Bear's Christ Taylor¬True¬

Mixed signs

1636¬Very mixed reactions so far for the latest album from the Welsh indie-punk outfit¬True¬

No chance

1625¬Much disappointment among critics at the 4th collection of electro beats and spoken-word lyrics from the hip hop duo. Into the chart with 5.0¬True¬

Driving force

1620¬The long-serving Georgia riffmasters enter the chart with a 7.3for their 8th album of Southern rock¬True¬

Playlist Archive

Those we have loved (or quite liked anyway)

9¬False¬
Empire And Love

The Imagined Village

Empire And Love

Second installment of Simon Emmerson's folk/world project bringing together an array of folk luminaries with a stellar world music cast

Critics average rating

7.6

Label
ECC
Release date
26/01/2010
  1. 10.0 |  The Independent

    The result is a quantum leap beyond the first Imagined Village album, refurbishing the mostly traditional folk material in a variety of potent new arrangements
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |  The Guardian

    There are occasional passages where the electronica could be cut back, but this is an impressive set
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |  The Observer

    Atmospheric settings veer between trembling fiddles and thumping dhol drums, but it's the songs that stick... Lovely
    Read Review

  4. 8.0 |  Uncut

    Print edition only

  5. 8.0 |  The Scotsman

    The overall impression is not one of gimmicky pick'n'mixing, but of a consolidated and inspired entity
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |  The Times

    ...a joyous celebration of English and global culture
    Read Review

  7. 8.0 |  Evening Standard

    Imagined Village's success lies in taking traditional material and making it sound relevant and contemporary - which is what folk music should be
    Read Review

  8. 8.0 |  Click Music

    But in a time where reality stars still saturate the market with homogenised music, a trip to a village like this is a welcome change of pace
    Read Review

  9. 6.0 |  Mojo

    Print edition only

  10. 6.0 |  Observer Music Monthly

    Print edition only

  11. 6.0 |  The Sunday Times

    The occasionally unyielding beats are an undeniable distraction, but the antiwar sentiments of My Son John more than survive the transition to modern-day Afghanistan and Iraq
    Read Review

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Track preview & download

The Imagined Village: Empire And Love

  • Download full album for just £7.99
  • 1. My Son John £0.79
  • 2. Sweet Jane £0.79
  • 3. Space Girl £0.79
  • 4. Byker Hill £0.79
  • 5. Scarborough Fair £0.79
  • 6. Mermaid £0.79
  • 7. The Hand Weaver And The Factory Maid £0.79
  • 8. The Lark In The Morning £0.79
  • 9. Rose Buds In June / Mrs Preston's Hornpipe £0.79
  • 10. Cum On Feel The Noize £0.79
  • 11. Scarborough Fair (String Reprise) £0.79
  • Service provided by 7Digital

Missing in action

1645¬Mostly high praise in early reviews for an album of remixes by the German ambient electronic pioneer¬True¬

Secret's out

1590¬General approval for the latest collection of brooding avant-folk soundscapes from the Toronto band¬True¬

Friendly fire

1640¬Conflicting opinions so far on the first full release from the Italian house and electro producers, which features a vast array of guests¬True¬

Early warning

1633¬First couple of reviews suggest the garage psychedelia specialists are on a winner with their 2nd collection of rare singles and vintage covers¬True¬

Rhodes show

1634¬The former Lamb singer's 3rd collection of acoustic folk gets a chart entry on a 6.2 rating¬True¬

Heads up

1631¬Back to the 80s this time for the electro-pop singer and cohort Will Gregory - and they're into the chart with a 6.3¬True¬

Maximum effort

1638¬Critical consensus on the multi-instrumentalist and former member of Electric Soft Parade is that he's tried too hard to do too much on his 2nd solo album¬True¬

Black magic

1548¬The Norwegian jazz metal (oh yes) five-piece are just outside the chart with four very enthusiastic reviews so far¬True¬

Building nicely

1621¬The New Zealand producer has three very positive reviews so far for his new collection of minimal ambient pieces¬True¬