THE JEWEL

Pendragon's first full album finds them pre their Clive Nolan era. Given the enormous influence he has on all his various projects, the sound is surprisingly familiar in terms of their later works. "The Pleasure of hope" for example leads off with synthesiser and guitar sounds which could just as easily have come from "Not of this world".

The first half of the album is pretty straightforward and well performed, but lacking the maturity of their more complex and progressive works. The second half however sees the band slip smoothly into gear.

"Alaska" has some suggestions of prog, and despite the unworthy "Alaska/I'll ask her" lyric, is instrumentally interesting. The synthesiser/guitar solo is pure Camel from the "Mirage" or "Moonmadness" era. "Excalibur" was the first track to really sound like Pendragon as we now know them. The pace changes throughout, lots of Arthurian references, swirling synths, and a damn fine tune. "Circus" has suggestions of Genesis, especially in the Hackett like ending. "Oh Divineo" reverts to a mixture of a Camel and Genesis sound (nothing wrong with that!), with Andy Latimer and Steve Hackett appearing to drift in an out in equal measures.

A solid first album from the band, with more than a hint of the fine works which were to come in the future.

Share this PENDRAGON review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#5696)
• Buy PENDRAGON music online with PA partners
• Show all PENDRAGON MP3/Stream
• Go to PENDRAGON page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to The Jewel page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for PENDRAGON related discussions