For their second album, the
ISB officially downsized to the duo of
Mike Heron and
Robin Williamson. Lumped in with the psychedelic movement, that categorization was probably more due to the trippy cover graphics, the occasional Indian influences, and the whimsical, sometimes fantasy-ridden lyrical images than the music. It's more like a slightly cosmic version of traditional British folk than psychedelic rock. Although their next album,
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, is usually considered their most adventurous, some listeners may find this to be the more accessible effort. It also featured what is probably
Williamson's best-known song, "First Girl I Loved" (also familiar via
Judy Collins' cover version, "First Boy I Loved"). [Released in 1967,
5000 Spirits or the Layers of the Onion was released on CD with a bonus track in 2006.] ~ Richie Unterberger