FANFARE & FANTASY

I thoroughly enjoyed COMEDY OF ERRORS' debut so it was an easy choice to pick up "Fanfare & Fantasy" their latest from 2013. While there's lots to enjoy here I was surprised at how much of this I just didn't enjoy, so in my opinion this is a step down from the debut but at 3.5 stars well worth checking out if your into Neo-Prog.

"Fanfare For The Broken Hearted" opens with reserved vocals and piano but it will start to build as the guitar joins in. It settles back with percussion, vocals and atmosphere then builds again. Themes are repeated and we get a ripping guitar solo before 7 minutes that goes to the end. "Something She Said" builds with drums out front as the vocals join in. I like the keyboard work that reminds me of YES. It settles back before 2 minutes with the vocals being the focus but we get some instrumental workouts mixed in. Good song! "In A Lifetime" is mellow with vocals but some outbursts of heaviness comes and goes. A guitar solo arrives before 3 1/2 minutes then it turns pastoral again to end it. "Going For A Song" has a beautiful sound to it with the melodic guitar and vocals standing out. It sounds like strings joining in then it kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes to a GENESIS vibe with pulsating keys. It settles back as contrasts continue. Lots of mellotron late.

"Merry Dance" is a catchy little number with dance-like beats and vocals. The sampled mellotron sounds good along with the guitar solo 3 minutes in but overall i'm not a fan. "The Cause" has a heavy intro that gives way to strummed guitar and keys then it turns fuller. Vocals after a minute and i'm reminded of PENDRAGON. I like the meaningful lyrics too. An emotional track and my favourite. A soaring guitar solo arrives late. "Time's Motet And Galliard" has a spacey intro that lasts until 4 minutes in then it changes as drums and vocals lead the way. Not a fan of this one. "Remembrance" has piano and reserved vocals to start as it slowly builds. Not a fan. "The Answer" has some nice drum work early on and there's plenty of keyboards. It settles back before 1 1/2 minutes and vocals join in. Some nice soaring guitar 2 1/2 minutes in followed by pulsating keys and chunky bass lines. It settles back with vocals but i'm not into this section. I like the pulsating keys before 5 minutes as it builds then kicks in. Another calm before 6 1/2 minutes as the vocals also return along with a guitar solo.

This is an excellent Neo- Prog album but it has it's flaws in my opinion that prevent me from offering that fourth star. I'll stick with their debut.