IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORD

Certainly one of the very first true prog albums, and absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Almost singlehandedly takes psychedelic-inspired music and morphs it into progressive rock. A superb concept album with a theme of quest and discovery, from physical exploration to personal self-realization (a general theme they would revisit multiple times). In this album, they expand their influences from classical (as observed in DOFP) to include many other sounds and musical styles, and a variety of nontraditional instrumentation. And on this album (there is no orchestra), they create all the varied sounds and styles themselves, showing their versatility and creativity, adding (in addition to their usual guitars, keyboards, bass, flute, and drums) such things as sitar, tablas, harpsichord, cello, auto-harp, saxophone, timpani, etc. (as well as heavy doses of Pinder's Mellotron-drenched orchestral sounds), all by the band members themselves(no outside musicians). The album opens with a recitation from Graeme Edge (in what would set the precedent for the structure of most their subsequent concept albums), then launches into the rocking 'Ride My See-Saw' and flows from song to song on its journey of search and discovery, through Dr. Livingston, the House of Four Doors and Legend of a Mind. Side 2 deals with more directly with personal discovery with Voices in the Sky and Best Way to Travel, culminating with The Actor and the transcendental meditation mantra of Om. A fabulous journey that shows the creativity, innovation, emotional heart, inspirational motivation, melodic themes, and musical diversity of this remarkable band. A stunning tour-de-force way ahead of its time. Best Songs: Ride My See-Saw, The Best Way to Travel, House of Four Doors/Legend of a Mind, Voices in the Sky. Rating: 5