THE POLITE FORCE

One of those albums that transcends its genre while simultaneously being a prime example of it. It is stiff and formal in places but almost to the extent that you wonder if there's an element of self parody (if there isn't well - that's ok too !). "Longpiece" mostly avoids cod- classicism and "Boilk", in the context of a "prog" album, is well ahead of its time. Mostly, though, its the sheer sensual warmth of the central part of "A Visit to Newport Hospital" that gets me every time. Blissfull without being "blissed out" in any hackneyed sense. As an album it has most prog virtues and few vices.