HERITAGE AND VISIONS

Heritage and Vision is actually the first album I retrieved by Galleon (± 1997) and was also the reason it was the only one for a long time. Right now I acquired three more and all three appeared a lot better in my opinion but I didn't know that for all those years. I thought H & V was what Galleon was about and thought not much of them.

Lullaby is quite a good song actually contradicting the above statement but is more or less an exception. It's mainly the violin that is an interesting feature here. (3,75*).

Sniper is a more of a heavy track, at least at times. On other moments it's a bit of an incoherent song with less impressive ideas. Still ok but not special. (3,5*).

Permanent Vacation is one of the few real epics the band made through their career but as a whole I think this epic falls short to what may be expected by a track of this length. There are a few good moments here but the total song is a bit disappointing (3,5*).

Intentions doesn't show signs of recovery in my opinion. But let's not forget this band has set high standards for themselves through the years and maybe it's not quite fair to compare their second effort with their best works that appeared later on. On the other hand, maybe it is fair, why not do a sort of overview over their career after all their eight efforts so far ? Anyway this song is good but nothing exceptional (3,5*).

The Beat of a different tree is another average track without special features or exceptional qualities. Another good track though. 3,25*.

Lights is more of the same I have to say. With this album I miss the extra spark that I did find on King of Aragon with almost every track. But on this album it's as if there's something missing, it just doesn't grab me. All songs so far are proper but that's about the best I can say about them. Well, not all albums can be true winners, I can live with it, I hope Galleon can too. Another 3,25 for Lights which does have a fine finale by the way with good guitar.

Bobo the Gardener is really a lesser song on this album. This one is almost dispensable, the length wasn't already very promising although that doesn't say everything of course. A ballad like track with little substance. 2,75*.

Short Story is much more energetic and also melodic and accessible. Some nice keys lift the song to a very acceptable level. In the second half of the song I truly believe I hear hints to Garden Party from Marillion. Or is it just me who hears this ? One of the better tracks on H & V. 3,75*.

Tribute is probably a tribute to Rush (Villa Strangiato/YYZ ?) but I'm not sure here. A nice final (short) song. 3,5*.

Still a good album Heritage and Vision but no more so I will leave it at 3 stars though rounded down from 3,4.