THE WINDOW OF LIFE

PENDRAGON are one of my favourite Neo-Prog bands, and this album is one of their better ones. It seems like such a long time since i've listened to this band, so when I put this on last week it was like an emotional meeting with my old friends Nick Barrett, Clive Nolan, Peter Gee and Fudge Smith.

"The Walls Of Babylon" opens with powerful organ runs then Gilmour-like guitar joins in. This is very PINK FLOYD-like with those guitar melodies and the organ floating in the background. It isn't until after 4 minutes that we get a change as drums and vocals come in and the tempo picks up. A full sound before 5 minutes is the result. It settles a minute later and it sounds fantastic ! Blistering guitar 8 1/2 minutes in. "Ghosts" opens with piano and synths before it kicks into gear with vocals. I can't help but think of GENESIS 2 1/2 minutes in. A calm with piano and vocals before 4 minutes. The tempo picks up again after 6 minutes. This is the most GENESIS-like track on here. "Breaking The Spell" is mellow to start with as vocals, synths and guitar lead the way. The guitar 2 1/2 minutes in reminds me of Latimer. The soaring guitar after 4 1/2 minutes is great. A nice rhythm follows. Barrett starts to light it up after 7 minutes. Nice. Vocals are back with passion before 8 1/2 minutes to end it.

"The Last Man On Earth" is my favourite track on here. It's almost 15 minutes long and has some powerfully emotional sections. Keys and synths to open as Barrett starts to sing so beautifully. The lyrics and vocals are so moving. Gulp. The chorus is both touching and so uplifting. Guitar then comes ripping in at 2 1/2 minutes as the melody changes. Lots of atmosphere after 5 minutes. Fragile vocals 6 1/2 minutes in and the backup vocals recall FLOYD. It kicks back in after 8 minutes. Fudge shines during this section. Back to the chorus after 12 1/2 minutes. Amazing ! "Nostrodamas(Stargazing)" opens with guitar and synths that create emotion and wonder for almost 2 1/2 minutes. Then vocals and a new soundscape take over. Waves of synths 6 minutes in to end it. "Am I Really Losing You ?" again is filled with so much emotion as keys and synths float in the background of Nick's reserved vocals. The lyrics suggest he's losing his faith in God. Passionate guitar after 2 1/2 minutes as drums join in. This continues to the end.

A solid 4 star album and a must for those seeking out melodic and passionate music.