Hero and Heroine

Background

After the tour supporting the previous album, Bursting at the Seams, there was an acrimonious split leaving only Dave Cousins and Dave Lambert to rebuild the band. The new line-up gelled very quickly and studio sessions were very productive. The album was released first in the US to a warm reception, and then in the UK where reviews were less positive. The album only reached number 35 on the UK Album Charts and the band increasingly began to look to North America for a successful future.

The album, although still recognisably Strawbs, contains tracks with harsh "straight talking" lyrics, in contrast to the more lyrical approach shown on Bursting at the Seams. The music is more Gothic and doom-laden with washes of mellotron and guitar power chords, especially on the longer tracks.

All band members made writing contributions, notably Chas Cronk, with whom Cousins would write many songs on future albums.

Critical reception

Stephen Lambe, author of Citizens of Hope and Glory: The Story of Progressive Rock, has called it "their most prog album" and has identified John Hawken's Mellotron playing as "a particular highlight". The album ranked number 44 in 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time list of Rolling Stone magazine.

Side one

1. "Autumn" – 8:27
2. "Sad Young Man" (Rod Coombes) – 4:09
3. "Just Love" (Dave Lambert) – 3:41
4. "Shine on Silver Sun" (Cousins) – 2:46

Side two

1. "Hero and Heroine" (Cousins) – 3:29
2. "Midnight Sun" (Chas Cronk, Cousins) – 3:06
3. "Out in the Cold" (Cousins) – 3:19
4. "Round and Round" (Cousins) – 4:44
5. "Lay a Little Light on Me" (Cousins) – 3:27
6. "Hero's Theme" (Lambert) – 2:28

Bonus tracks

The following tracks did not feature on the original vinyl release and were included as bonus tracks on the A&M reissue.

1. "Still Small Voice" (Cousins) – 2:28
2. "Lay a Little Light on Me (early version)" (Cousins) – 2:20

Personnel

Recording

Recorded at Rosenberg Studios, Copenhagen.