NOUVEAU CALLS

I guess anyone who is really a music lover has got that band or album that just seems to rise above the rest and touches their music soul. Wishbone Ash and especially Argus were the band and record that did it for me. I expected alot from this band. I got goosebumps from their successes but would also be very disappointed by their failures. There have been plenty of both over the years but I have never been able to quite give up on them. This album is the one that I was most disappointed in. I`m sure that was partially due to my high expectations. Finally, the original line up back together and doing instrumentals to boot! Personally I did not find that strange. They were always capable of making the occasional top notch instrumental where you might find one per album. The long dual guitar jams on live albums also showcased their instrumental skills. I couldn`t wait to hear those soaring rocking twin guitars, Martin`s moving base lines and the musical but driving sounds of Upton`s drums. When they were at their best there was fire and passion in the music. When I was finally able to put it on the turntable I was totally disappointed. It`s not bad music but the things I loved most about WA were missing. No fire no passion very few rocking soaring dual lead guitar jams. Instead we get 80s synths, monotonous melodies and a somewhat sterile overall sound. The musicianship is top notch and the production is good but it just lacking something. Steve Upton might as well stayed home since he was reduced to a living breathing drum machine. There is just no feeling in this music. Ok for TV show themes, in movies or background for studying but nothing to really keep your interest. That being said, I`ve heard quite abit of this played in the live setting where some feeling can sneak in and it sounds so much better.