THE BEST OF SOMERISH POP & ROCK INTO THE SUMMER LANDS The Mirth At a poll held by the music magazine Key before the Mirth's world tour this summer this album was voted the best Mirth album, and among the top five albums of all time. Sutherish/Weatherrill had found their formula and on this their fourth album it reached perfection. It is still selling among the top 50 albums in Somery. KINGS AND MERRYMAKERS The Mirth Coinciding with their 25th anniversary the Mirth releases an album which many critics consider earning a place among the best they have done in several years. It may not be mentioned among the classics, but the handicraft is as good as could ever be expected from a group that has been around for a quarter of a century. TRENDLEWIDE The Mirth After their successful world tour this summer Somery's number one rock act has selected a great number of songs on this double CD, all recorded live on tour. You can clearly tell that the lads haven't been lazing around the last 25 years. The musicianship is as good as it ever was, and the co-working with the local orchestras in Utania impress the most. This is not just for the confirmed fans, but for anyone who enjoys well-crafted rock music. EVER SEEN Derwent Dunyon This is the classic DD album with which all the group's other albums are compared. This, their third album, signifies a peak in their career and contains all those things that make them great: the twin lead guitars, the singing, the production (elegantly done by Parson Allen), and last, but not least, the songwriting. Strawton's pride may at some point have performed equally good but never better throughout a whole album. TREES AND LEAVES Derwent Dunyon Another collection of songs penned by Larran Wisacre/Gwim Cherrel has reached the CD shops, and this may very well prove to be well worth the wait. Having done a few style changes over the past few years the Dunyon have on this album found their way back to their winning concept from the early years. Even though present on a few tracks the keyboards stand back for the guitars, both acoustic and electric, and the Dunyon trade mark, twin harmony leads, were never better. This may very well be the best they've done since Ever Seen. ON THE WING Annideigh Carra The little songbird from Milltree, Morentwyshire, who took the Somerish people by storm at the Whit Kirthfair of 300, now releases her second collection of songs on CD. Expectations have been great, and surely Ms. Carra is not unaware of them. She does comparatively well, and those who expected more of the soft acoustic songs she delivered on Rocking-Horse will not be disappointed. She may not be quite there yet, musically, but she is definitely heading in the right direction. A few songs may be considered fillers but the title song and a number of others definitely makes it worth buying. ROCKING-HORSE Annideigh Carra This is her debut album after the phenomenal success with the title song as a single. It's rare that a newcomer is so quickly embraced by the public and there is a good chance that she will become one of the biggest names in Somerish pop music. She certainly has the potential. LAST CALL Gray Slawke The master storyteller of brokenheartedness is back! You may have heard the single You Don't Need Her on national radio, or even on a commercial channel, like A-Beat or Sugar A.D.O., and the album is offering more of the same, perfect for the dark autumn nights, when melancholy needs some fuelling. A couple of tracks stand out, especially The Last I Heard From You, and it wouldn't come as a surprise if that will be the next single off this album. ODD HEART OUT Gray Slawke No one can like Gray Slawke sing a sad song about rejected love and still make you feel that you're better off without it. An unusual combination, but here it is: a collection of sad songs that actually cheer you up. DAYS OF YORE Winterset Some would say that this new group is merely a copy of the Mirth, and there is no doubt that their roots share the same well. They have, though, developed the concept in such a personal way that it could hardly be considered copying, but more of a declaration of love. Whatever the opinion may be you have to be impressed by the skills of these young musicians, which, together with a number of new bands, are good omens for the promising future and continuing quality of Somerish pop music. SUNMIRCH Much This could be considered a third cousin or so to the Mirth. The set is different and more traditional but they have the closeness to classical music in common. The lyrics move in more transcendent regions and about man's position in life and in the world. The title of the album means 'solar eclipse' and has nothing to do with the popular music festival. DIRTY BOOTS The Tillers With their musical boots firmly based deep in the muddy blues soil The Tillers is probably one of the best pure blues bands to surface in the Somerish music business. Simple as it may seem in structure this band takes the blues to new heights. KING MEYBREN'S LAST STAND Hindbury Bligh This CD is a classic and probably among Bligh's best moments so far. Shimmy Swaine's heavy blues-based riffs and Hobbie Potworts lyrics and voice make up the characteristic sound and groove of the band. I SAW THE LIGHT Lom Sayle After recovering from a life threatening illness Sayle has made one of his best albums in a very long time. The lyrics are mostly reflections on life and how unpredictable it can be, but also about how wonderful it can be, and the joy in little things.