TAÏ PHONG

The mystery here is not why this album was not very popular, but why it is not highly regarded among fans of the genre. This is truly a symphonic progressive masterwork, with plenty of good playing and writing, but mostly excelling in the arrangement category.

The first track, "Going Away", is atypical and, not surprisingly, has been cited as the only worthwhile song on the album by those same people who don't give the band respect. I do agree that it is excellent and quite unique, with a variety of changes presented in under 6 minutes, from aggressive to gentle. I get some Nektar influence here and even Gracious, although this may be more just a cross fertilization, or an influence once or twice removed. This is followed by "Sister Jane", a beautiful ballad that has drawn in non-prog fans among my friends.

"Crest" is the only weak link, and then the album shifts into ambitious symphonic progressive mode. "For Years and Years", "Fields of Gold", and "Out of the Night" all combining to create a dreamy and sometimes nightmarish atmosphere. "Fields of Gold" first showcases JJ Goldman's naturally high pitched voice while the last half is taken over by a celestial melody on keys backed by imaginative rhythms. Eventually well placed guitar licks appear. "Out in the Night" is the most Floydian, but I discovered the group when a local FM DJ would play it followed by the last 2 parts of Alan Parsons Project's "The Fall of the House of Usher". I thought it was Alan Parsons the first few times! It features some chilling mellotron, a captivating verse and chorus, and finally, a formidable lead guitar solo before it settles down into a epiloguish piano theme. The bonus tracks are better than most, more in the "Sister Jane" style. They do not detract. While Tai Phong's followup "Windows" has some great work on it, this is the one to get.