This was another release earlier in the year that I’ve finally gotten to. The Essex Green have been part of the Elephant Six collective and produced some great chamber pop albums. Other than the Minders, I think all the other E6 collective bands, like The Apples In Stereo have quietly faded into history. It seems that the mix of pastoral pop and sixties baroque isn’t produced that much anymore. In fact the last group I remember doing this well was The Ladybug Transistor. The Essex Green on its third album, Cannibal Sea, tries to expand on this idea by adding some country and folk music elements into it’s style. It helps that some members are in both bands. Listening I can’t help thinking that if you tried to find the next incarnation of The Mamas & the Papas for the current generation, you couldn’t pick a better band. All the songs are very well written and full of pristine melodies, heavenly harmonies and elegant Byrdsian arrangements. “Penny & Jack” is one of my favorite tunes here. However, on some songs they go a bit too Dylanesque, noteably “Due de Lis”, “Rabbit” and “Slope Song” — but these diversions aren’t bad. They just belong on a different album. You can download this album from e-music hereAlso note the lovely Sasha Bell sings lead on more songs here. She helps make this album a light and airy pop gem.