TUG OF WAR

Enchant are back with their seventh album, and yet again show that when it comes to prog rock with the heavy use of guitar they are one of the best around. When I saw them support Spock's Beard at the Astoria I was extremely impressed, and having followed their career with interest since reviewing their debut album some eleven years ago I was pleased to be able to listen to the new album. This is prog rock that also has a foot firmly in the melodic rock camp, with guitarist Doug Ott providing the foundation for the band while Ted Leonard has much more in common with rock frontmen than most prog singers.

The result is an album that is packed full of melodies and hooks, yet also has room for time changes and dramatic shifts in musical direction. It opens with "Sinking Sand", a song that contains just what every melodic rock fans wants in great harmonies, strong tunes and arrangements and enough space and drama for all. This standard is carried all of the way through the album which closes with the longest number, "Comatose". This starts off gently enough with just Ted and piano but ever so slowly and gradually the tension builds, and the rest of the band come in. The passion keeps building and there is the feeling of a full on band just straining to be released.

One of the joys of Enchant is that they are so easy to listen to and enjoy, even on first hearing. Yet another strong album to add to their canon.

Originally appeared in Feedback #78, April 2004