AS GOOD AS GOLD

Here we have the same kind of hidden jewel as Fallen Dreams and Angels. Well, not really as good as that one because that was an EP with 4 new songs whilst this has 2,5 and one from Masquerade Overture. Ok, bit insipid to say 2,5 because it's three of course but a 3 minute song by Pendragon almost makes you feel like we're back in the eighties.

Starting off with a short version of the great track from TMO and I'm sorry to say that it lacks the rich sound of the full version especially in the beginning with an almost pitiful keyboard riff by Clive (come on guys, what's this ?) . Later on the song gets better towards the usual standard (3* altogether). Next is a song that's somewhere between a ballad and a regular song, Bird of Paradise. Problem is that Nick has done so many great things up till now that this song should actually be called a mediocre one where Pendragon standard is concerned. A good maybe even very good track on itself but not as great as anything from TMO (3,5*). The third track is actually more of that great level and it could even be called one of the better songs in Pendragon's career. The great strength lies in its build up. It's a very good song in the first 5 minutes but just as you think it's over it starts with a second part that's even better than the first 5 minutes. Great song (4,25*).

Unfortunately it's the very highlight of the EP because the last track is more or less dispensable (2.5*). It always strikes me that Pendragon is not very good with short songs. It was already showing with the bonus disk of TMO which I hardly played through the years because these kind of short versions/short songs are wasted on me.

It will probably be the difference between a die hard fan and a fine weather (as we say in Holland) fan like me who only goes for the best stuff. All in all a nice addition to a Pendragon collection, I think every fan should have it but the general public .... tough call. It's a great song, a good song and two slightly disappointning ones. See for yourself what to do. It's overall by far not as good as Fallen Dreams and Angels, that's for sure. 3 stars (3,4).