Hard Rope & Silken Twine

Hard Rope & Silken Twine is the twelfth and final album released by The Incredible String Band. It was released in 1974.

Hard Rope & Silken Twine
Studio album by The Incredible String Band
Released	March 1974 (UK) / June 1974 (US)
Recorded	1974
Genre	Folk
Length	43:51
Label	Island Records (UK) / Reprise Records (US)
Producer	Mike Heron
The Incredible String Band chronology
No Ruinous Feud (1973) Hard Rope & Silken Twine (1974)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

It was fitting that their final track "Ithkos" was 20 minutes of several compositions. These ranging from Greek roots, to their strongest genre, folk, then progressive rock, and ending with the addition of synthesizers. Such lengthy compositions were common for the band during their heyday.

Overall the album contains folk songs mixed with progressive rock influence. These attempts at changing the band's sound proved to be unsuccessful because, after disappointing sales, the band was dropped from its label. Musical differences created continuing turmoil that led to the band dissolving by October of the same year.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Maker of Islands"	Mike Heron	6:01
2.	"Cold February"	Robin Williamson	5:46
3.	"Glancing Love"	Malcolm Le Maistre, Mike Garson	4:00
4.	"Dreams of No Return"	Williamson	5:20
5.	"Dumb Kate"	Heron	3:21
6.	"Ithkos"	Heron	19:23
Total length:			43:51