A QUESTION OF BALANCE

"Question of Balance" has some good songs on it, but not the level of composition that was reached in their earlier albums. "Question" and "How is it" are awesome songs and lead into each other well. Then the album begins it's downslide. "And the Tide Rushes In" is not a memorable song nor it is that exciting. It leads again into "And Don't You Feel Small" which you begin to answer... "Yes, in fact how much did I spend on this CD again?". "Tortoise and the Hare" picks the album up a bit, but again isn't all the unique or memorable. "It's Up to You" is catchy, and is a pretty good song, but it's Credence Clearwater Revival good, not "Days of Future Passed" good. "Minstrel's Song" is a really cheesy song in my opinion. It follows the vein of the Hippy Dippy drivel the period is earmarked for. Mind you, some of that drivel was actually good, but in this case it's like imitation cheese when you could be eating the real thing. Copy my review for "Minstrel's Song" and you have "Dawning is the Day"... not that great either. Here we have another spike of talent with "Melancholy Man" which, although somber, is well written. gentle builds and recessions in the music, particularly the instrumention make this song interesting. "The Balance" leaves you traumatized. Especially after hearing a relatively good song like "Melancholy Man". They should have ended the album with that song. Instead they decide you leave you with a bad impression. This albums strengths would include the 2 awesome tracks and very precise and tight instrumentation. It's downside is the lack of effort compositionally. This is only a marginal effort by them. If you have heard the first two songs and really want the collection of the classic seven then get it. Otherwise ,it can be safely skipped.