TIMELINE

Firstly, a distinction must be made about this 2 disc release. The first disk revolves around tunes from early albums and featuring much of the classic line-up minus PHIL COLLINS. Disc 2 recorded 15 years later by a pared down band, a trio that at best is referred to as BRAND X Mark II, but in reality, their approach don't compare well with early BRAND X material.

Disc 1 one contains compositions that projected the band to well-earned stellar recognition are delivered here with commendable accuracy. The complexities involved would be a challenge to any highly skilled artist and the band handles that well in a live environment. There are some minute changes, the odd flaw that is a bit of an issue if one is familiar with the studio releases burned deeply onto one's brain over a few decades, though. Pretty good, but "Livestock" performed around the same time is seen as a far superior release.

Disc 2 is BRAND X only by name. This power trio of two founding members plus a new drummer have completely missed the mark of what made the original band exceptional. Three musicians show that the collective contributions of 5-6 altogether is a hard act to follow. This hard edged outfit appears to be in perpetual limbo between Heavy-Prog, Avant and even industrial approaches, but fail to fully succeed in any of the above. Had I only known this version of the band, BRAND X would never have made it quoted as one of my fave bands in British Jazz-Rock.

This release should have been split into two different ones. The title "Timeline" may be appropriate, but hardly a winner.

I had been privy to hear exceptional, but officially unreleased material by early BRAND X, but we'd be approaching bootleg territory there. It seems that record companies are sitting on their hands, depriving the public of quality material.

This is not a strong release, you'll find the same tunes performed much better elsewhere.

R