BATTLEMENT

I have heard from unofficial sources that this album is/was the best seller in the Musea catalog. When I listen I hear a failed Genesis clone from the Selling England/Lamb era, especially in the vocals and keyboards. Failed because, with a few exceptions, it does not approach the songwriting, colour and dynamics of the late PG era of Genesis.

An example of what Neuschwanstein was striving for can be discerned in "Intruders and the Punishment", which is a pastiche of "Cinema-Show" styled motifs that is more absorption than inspiration, and it shows. "Beyond the Bugle" fuses those influences with kraut rock and does not improve upon the formula. Only in "Ice with Dwale", thanks to luscious flutes, acoustic guitars and electric guitars, and the similarly emotive bonus track "Midsummer Day", do they come close to expounding upon a melodic majestic mission. But I suspect this might be coincidental; otherwise the worthwhile material would total better than 2 tracks out of 7.

If you care mostly about Genesis style instrumentation and voice, you could do much worse than to grab this Musea reissue, but if you want to get the sense that a band can stand on its own both in style and substance, you may want to pick a battle meant more for your tastes.