PLACES UNSEEN

I received a copy of the latest Cirrus Bay album entitled Places Unseen! It is their 5th venture into the commercial world of music! I will say right up front.....this is my favorite Cirrus Bay effort to date. It is an album that will find a place in your CD player. Cirrus Bay has crafted and polished their progressive sound with Places Unseen. They have a new female singer (Tai Shan) that has a beautiful voice and can bring out the feelings to the music. This album has elements of Genesis, ELP, Bo Hansson, Renaissance and for me even a bit of Jade Warrior to it. While all the tracks on the album are well done....there are some tracks which stand out for me. The first one is First Departure....it is something that I have never heard Cirrus Bay do and they do it well here. It is a progressive rock instrumental track which is one of the best things they have done. It is a strong track that is dynamic and flowing. The second track of note for me is Horseback To Hanssonland.......it is a great tribute to the late Swedish progressive rock musician Bo Hansson. I am sure he would have been pleased with Cirrus Bay's recognition of him. The next song which caught my attention was Boats......Tai Shan sings this song with great feeling and it's very nicely done. Finally the instrumental Second Departure also will send your CD player into repeated listening's. Cirrus Bay has found the right chemistry and formula for this album which will please any progressive rock fan...........Great job.......to Bill Gillham and the Cirrus Bay group!