STAINED GLASS STORIES

Oh, what an overlooked gem this album is! Almost every moment from start to finish is smoking with intense counterpoint arrangements, intricate orchestrations and excellent musicianship. The chief reference point must be Fragile-era Yes, but one is also frequently reminded of both Crimson and Genesis. The singer would do reasonably well in a John Wetton soundalike contest, and one passage sports a snare-bass-mellotron figure that is extremely evocative of "Watcher of the Skies". Add some Fripp-ish tritones, and the result can sometimes be quite reminiscent of Änglagård (who in fact cite Cathedral as a reference)

It was a surprise to discover that these lads are American, for it would seem that they consider themselves born the wrong side of the Atlantic. In every aspect Cathedral try to sound British, even the singer Paul Seal, who makes a fair attempt at a British accent. That his diction ends up being rather blurred is no major problem -- like Yes, Cathedral seem to use lyrics mainly to provide some sonic structure to the vocals while one may look in vain for any definitive meaning amongst the words.

Indeed the one star detracted is mainly because Cathedral come dangerously close to pastiche at times. Guitariste superbe Rudy Perrone has studied Steve Howe's technique and sound in smallest detail, and also the bass work is at times all but a copy of Chris Squire's style. "Days & Changes" could have been a "Heart of the Sunrise pt 2". Knowing this was recorded in 1978, several years after the heyday of their British heroes, Cathedral must have come across as imitators at the time, although they make a fiendishly clever job of it. I for one refuse to let this bother me, and enjoy this album for the masterpiece that it is!