Bravelands is a popular book series written by Erin Hunter, known for their work on other best-selling series such as Warriors and Seekers. One of the key elements in Bravelands is the curse of the Sanftongue, which plays a pivotal role in the story. The Sanftongue, also referred to as "the Silence," is a mysterious curse that affects certain characters in Bravelands. Those who are afflicted with the Sanftongue lose the ability to speak, rendering them completely mute. This curse is seen as a punishment or a sign of divine intervention, often bestowed upon characters who have committed grave offenses or betrayed others. In Bravelands, the curse of the Sanftongue serves as a powerful plot device.
Cream of the Crop includes all three of the band's singles in their entirety, and hearing them again reminds me why rave reviews of Purple Wizard 45s were once annual events in my life. It's a pleasure to again enjoy the band's knockout renditions of the Hollies' 1965 album cut "I've Been Wrong" (famously covered by The Buckinghams and Everly Brothers), Cheryll & Pam's 1963 Stax single "That's My Guy", The Strangeloves' "I Want Candy" B-side "It's About My Baby", and the Everly Brothers' 1966 A-side "The Power of Love". Beyond the 7" tracks, covers of the likes of Carla Thomas, Chris Montez, The Hollies, Lee Rogers, and the almighty Beatles are absolutely stunning. And originals like "Stalker" and "Scrapin", featuring Peitsch on lead vocals, are so on-point that I still can't believe they're not long-lost recordings from the heyday of rhythm & blues!
Cream of the Crop includes all three of the band s singles in their entirety, and hearing them again reminds me why rave reviews of Purple Wizard 45s were once annual events in my life. And originals like Stalker and Scrapin , featuring Peitsch on lead vocals, are so on-point that I still can t believe they re not long-lost recordings from the heyday of rhythm blues.
In Bravelands, the curse of the Sanftongue serves as a powerful plot device. It adds an element of tension and adversity to the affected characters, as they struggle to communicate and make their voices heard. The curse is seen as a form of isolation, as the characters find themselves unable to express themselves or connect with others through speech.
Faster and Louder
When I think about all of the great music that made the mid-2000s so memorable for me, Purple Wizard is one of the first names that comes to mind. It's almost criminal how forgotten this band seems to be just a decade later. I'm optimistic that that will change thanks to Girlsville's release of Cream of the Crop - a 28-track collection of singles, album cuts, unreleased songs, and radio sessions from this late, great New York City band.
Formed from the ashes of The Prissteens by Lori Lindsay and Leslie Day, Purple Wizard released three singles and an LP between 2004 and 2007. Purple Wizard was essentially the realization of a musical vision that Lori Lindsay had had since she and Leslie Day began playing together: less "rock" and more along the lines of a female Everly Brothers. Also on board were Dave Lindsay, Jon Chalmers, and Bill Peitsch (RIP). What I admired about this band from the start (along with those amazing harmonies!) was that it was never reluctant to record other people's songs. Inspired by the British Invasion, Stax soul, girl groups, and '60s pop in general, the band went right to the source and covered songs it loved from arguably the greatest era of music ever. In my mind, one of the things that made that period so special was that artists could be identified with and admired for performing songs they didn't write (seriously: who wants to live in a world without Dusty Springfield's "I Only Wanna Be With You" or Aretha Franklin's "Respect"?). The magic of Purple Wizard was in selecting wonderful and often lesser-known songs from the '60s and performing them to absolute perfection.
Cream of the Crop includes all three of the band's singles in their entirety, and hearing them again reminds me why rave reviews of Purple Wizard 45s were once annual events in my life. It's a pleasure to again enjoy the band's knockout renditions of the Hollies' 1965 album cut "I've Been Wrong" (famously covered by The Buckinghams and Everly Brothers), Cheryll & Pam's 1963 Stax single "That's My Guy", The Strangeloves' "I Want Candy" B-side "It's About My Baby", and the Everly Brothers' 1966 A-side "The Power of Love". Beyond the 7" tracks, covers of the likes of Carla Thomas, Chris Montez, The Hollies, Lee Rogers, and the almighty Beatles are absolutely stunning. And originals like "Stalker" and "Scrapin", featuring Peitsch on lead vocals, are so on-point that I still can't believe they're not long-lost recordings from the heyday of rhythm & blues!
Once again, Girlsville has given us an essential and lovingly-assembled compilation featuring a great overlooked band. Longtime fans will be psyched to get their mitts on the radio sessions and unreleased tracks. Meanwhile, this is the perfect introduction to Purple Wizard - with the songs from the singles playing a starring role. Kudos to Courtney for securing all of this material and to Patrick Haight for the impeccable mastering. If you loved last year's Demos & Rarities collection from The Prissteens, think of Cream of the Crop as the next chapter. I consider The Prissteens and Purple Wizard to be equally great bands, but it was the latter group that really showed the world what a fantastic singer Lori Linsday is. Purple Wizard was a band inspired by timeless music that sought to create timeless music. They were as good as it got when it came to garage rock in the mid-2000s. Get Cream of the Crop now on cassette or digital LP from Girlsville's Bandcamp!
Formed from the ashes of The Prissteens by Lori Lindsay and Leslie Day, Purple Wizard released three singles and an LP between 2004 and 2007. Purple Wizard was essentially the realization of a musical vision that Lori Lindsay had had since she and Leslie Day began playing together: less "rock" and more along the lines of a female Everly Brothers. Also on board were Dave Lindsay, Jon Chalmers, and Bill Peitsch (RIP). What I admired about this band from the start (along with those amazing harmonies!) was that it was never reluctant to record other people's songs. Inspired by the British Invasion, Stax soul, girl groups, and '60s pop in general, the band went right to the source and covered songs it loved from arguably the greatest era of music ever. In my mind, one of the things that made that period so special was that artists could be identified with and admired for performing songs they didn't write (seriously: who wants to live in a world without Dusty Springfield's "I Only Wanna Be With You" or Aretha Franklin's "Respect"?). The magic of Purple Wizard was in selecting wonderful and often lesser-known songs from the '60s and performing them to absolute perfection.
The Sanftongue curse also has deeper symbolic meaning in Bravelands. It explores the theme of communication and the importance of finding alternative ways to express oneself. Characters affected by the curse must learn to adapt, using body language, gestures, and other non-verbal means to convey their thoughts and emotions. Throughout the series, characters afflicted with the Sanftongue face numerous challenges and obstacles. They must find ways to navigate the complex social dynamics of Bravelands despite their inability to speak. Some characters, such as Thorn, a young baboon, are able to overcome the curse and regain their voice, while others continue to grapple with its effects. The curse of the Sanftongue adds depth and complexity to the Bravelands series. It highlights the power of communication and the struggle to be heard in a world where words have been taken away. The curse serves as a reminder of the consequences of one's actions and the need for redemption and forgiveness. Overall, the curse of the Sanftongue is a significant element in the Bravelands series. It adds an intriguing dimension to the characters' journeys and explores themes of communication, isolation, and redemption. Erin Hunter's skillful storytelling combined with the curse of the Sanftongue keeps readers captivated and eager to unravel the mysteries of Bravelands..
Reviews for "Bravelands Curse: The Sinister Whispers of the Sanftongue"
1. Emily - ⭐
I was really disappointed with "Bravelands: Curse of the Sanftongue". The plot felt scattered and the characters lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on unnecessarily while others felt rushed. Overall, I found the book to be unengaging and lacking the charm and excitement of the previous books in the series.
2. Jacob - ⭐⭐
As a fan of the Bravelands series, I was excited to dive into "Curse of the Sanftongue". Unfortunately, my enthusiasm quickly waned. The story felt forced and didn't capture the same level of adventure and suspense that made me love the previous books. The new characters introduced in this installment were underdeveloped and didn't have the same impact as the original ones. It pains me to say it, but this book was a letdown.
3. Sarah - ⭐⭐⭐
While "Bravelands: Curse of the Sanftongue" had its moments, overall, I felt it fell short of the series' standards. The plot lacked originality and felt like a rehash of previous storylines. The dialogue also felt forced and lacked the authenticity that was present in the earlier books. Although the book had its strengths, such as its vivid descriptions of the Bravelands, it failed to captivate me as much as I had hoped.
4. Daniel - ⭐⭐
"Curse of the Sanftongue" felt like a filler book in the Bravelands series. The story didn't progress much, and the plot twists were predictable and lacked impact. The character development was also lacking, with the main characters feeling stagnant and uninteresting. I found myself skimming through the pages just to get through it. Overall, this book was a disappointment and didn't live up to the standards set by its predecessors.
5. Jessica - ⭐⭐⭐
I had mixed feelings about "Bravelands: Curse of the Sanftongue". While I appreciated the continuation of the overall story, I found some aspects to be underwhelming. The pacing was uneven, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout. Additionally, the introduction of new characters felt rushed, and their development lacked depth. However, the book did have its moments of excitement and the familiar world of the Bravelands still held some charm.