All on the First Day was extremely
Incredible String Band-influenced in its minimal folk-rock, particularly in Tony Dore's vocals. While it might be a lot smaller in the range of instruments, and thinner in depth of production than the old
Incredible String Band records, it's also mighty more tuneful and accessible to conventional pop ears. The threesome have a good knack for catchy tunes with minor chords aplenty, without any of the wavering drone-grate categorizing much of the
ISB's output. Although many of the compositions address the hippie mindset of the early '70s -- making love, folky vignette story-songs, the apocalypse, and references to nature and fable-like figures aplenty -- they're relayed with just enough irreverent wit to tread the line between clever and indulgent. The homespun male-female harmonies are bolstered by imaginatively unpredictable, if low-budget, weird tinges of electronic effects, slide guitar swoops, violin creaks, wah-wah, Jew's harp, zig-zaggy guitar reverb, and flageolets (a small flute). It's a very likable album, heartily recommended to early-'70s British folk-rock fans looking for something of quality they likely have never heard of before, let alone actually heard. [Originally issued in a quantity of a mere 100 copies in 1972, the album was reissued in 2001 by Shadoks Music with the addition of five bonus tracks and historical liner notes by the group. Gaarden/Tapete reissued the album in 2017 minus the bonus tracks, but with improved sound.] ~ Richie Unterberger