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Bitter taste

1615¬Poor old Sugababes are challenging for our all-time lowest album rating (JLS since you ask). They're on 3.2 so far for their Sweet 7 album¬True¬

Middle of the road

1613¬Moderate reviews so far for the Scottish AOR pop rock singer-songwriter. Into the chart with a 5.8¬True¬

Glad tidings

1603¬A set of mainly very positive early reviews for the 60s-influenced psych-rock / krautrock and blues debut from the first English band signed to Jagjaguwar¬True¬

Sufi so good

1607¬The LA post-hip hop rapper's "hallucinogenic head-nod" album meanders gently into the chart with a batch of strong reviews¬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

Driving force

1620¬The long-serving Georgia riffmasters are on the verge of making a decent chart showing with their 8th album of Southern rock¬True¬

Mexican waves

1617¬General approval for this concept album about the Mexican-American war from the legendary Irish folkies and equally legendary guitarist¬True¬

Making his mark

1604¬Orcadian folk artist Kris Drever gets a 6.6 rating on his entry into the chart with his second solo album¬True¬

Past masters

1614¬As expected, the compilation from one of the most influential indie rock bands of recent years is into the Compilation & Reissues chart with a big score¬True¬

Wake up call

1611¬First batch of reviews for the London trio's shoegaze debut are very encouraging¬True¬

Early warning

1612¬Just about to make an impact on the chart is the 2nd album of minimal indie pop with jazz & electronica overtones from the Oregon duo¬True¬

Self help

1602¬The erstwhile nu-ravers have grown up, self-released and self-produced their 2nd album, and reviewers are mostly in favour¬True¬