THREE FRIENDS

I wasn't too keen on this album at first, but it has wormed it's way into my affections over time and repeated listens. It starts in a manner somewhat similar to King Crimson's "Red", except that "Three Friends" was recorded at least 2 years prior and is, harmonically, more interesting. "School Days" reminds me, dare I say it?, of Simon Dupree & The Big Sound. This is not intended as a criticism, by the way. The pivotal, and best, song featured here is "Peel the Paint". Derek's vocal is stunning, while Gary and Malcolm's interplay in the psych-blues instrumental passage is among the stellar company of Hendrix & Mitchell for expressiveness and viscera! The finale, "Three Friends" is a tour de force of vocal harmonies and is incredibly moving. Gary's guitar and the mellotron work nicely off each other, too. Four stars from me, if perhaps only because the concept is a little weak to sustain a whole album, but there are plenty of musical highlights.