CURSES AND INVOCATIONS

Of course, this album is strongly related to what ELP have produced; but not only. They sound mightier, less intricate than one of their mentor. The other one being "Atomic Rooster".

Don't look for an excess of originality here. Just take the music as it comes and enjoy. At least, this is what I'm doing. The opening number is just fantastic: this orgy of organ is so fabulous! When it is over, you only want to play it again and again.

If you think you listen to "Pictures." during the intro of "What More.", don't worry: I had the same feeling. And if you have the feeling to hear the early "Santana" ("Evil Ways") during the first part of "Ordeal ", don't worry; you're not alone. But it will evolve into a more standard song. Another good song even if vocals are somewhat weak here.

Here and there some abuses in the moog use, but Michele Profeti on the synth is generally very good. I particularly like the excellent mellotron (no surprise of course) in a song like "Gehenna". Real good!

Most of the songs are shortly formatted (except three of them), but most of them are very pleasant to listen like the wild "Herald". The epic "Mooning." starts promisingly on a soft, yet fine mood; but as soon as vocals come in, the interest is dropping seriously. Flat, dull and inexpressive. Fortunately, the last part is fully instrumental and offers tons of keyboards of all sorts (just like in N.T.F.B.Y.).

In all, this is a pleasant album which suffers from an average production and often weak vocals. Three stars.

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