BETWEEN FLESH AND DIVINE

4.5 stars. Well I very much enjoyed their debut but this is even better. This is darker and more melancholic and they've added mellotron to the mix, although string-synths are more plentiful. To quote the liner notes: "Despite the rather moderate reception given to it's first album the group remained convinced of the originality and quality of it's music and decided to record a new album without making so much as a single concession to commercial interests.The idea was that a second album would help the group assert itself and increase it's credibility with concert organizers once it had two albums to it's name". If anything this second record is even less commercial sounding than the first. I so admire their convictions especially since this was back in 1981 when this second album was released.

"Nightwind" opens with bass and percussion as drums and a full sound follows. Flute after a minute. A calm before 2 minutes as vocals arrive, lots of flute too. It kicks back in at 4 minutes then settles again. Uplifting before 5 1/2 minutes with mellotron and some nice guitar. "Northern Lights" might be my favourite track on here. A mellow and melancholic intro is replaced by an uptempo section led by the guitar after 2 minutes. Keyboards take over for the guitar. It settles before 4 1/2 minutes and vocals join in. Great sound here, so uplifting.The emotional guitar soars 7 minutes in as mellotron washes in over and over. "Boundless" is a laid back track with vocals. Lots of synths here.This singer has an accent but his voice is amazing.Tasteful guitar after 2 minutes.

"Dedicace" is led by flute and drums early. Bass then strummed guitar after 2 minutes. Organ follows then vocals. Fantastic sound 5 1/2 minutes in. "Lost In A Dream Yell" is in the running for my favourite song with "Northern Lights". It opens with thunder and rain. Keys and vocals join in. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes as rain continues to fall with gentle guitar. Brilliant ! This is so sad and emotinal. Flute comes in as the rain stops and marching drums join in.This simply goes on and on, but it works. I can't explain how moving this is. "Dreadful Memories" opens with dominant drums, bass and guitar before organ then mellotron joins in. The mellotron is at it's best right here.

This is more mature than the debut and a minor classic in my opinion.