BEDSIDE MANNERS ARE EXTRA

GREENSLADE features two keyboard players but no lead guitarist much like RARE BIRD. Dave Greenslade and bassist Tony Reeves were formerly with COLOSSEUM, while drummer Andrew McCullock played on KING CRIMSON's "Lizard" album. Dave Lawson is very prominant on keys and especially mellotron which is all over this album, in fact it's on every track. He also is the vocalist. Half of the 6 songs are instrumentals.

"Bedside Manners Are Extra" has a very dreamy sound as vocal melodies turn into vocals a minute in with piano and bass. Drums arrive 2 1/2 minutes in followed by a windstorm of mellotron. Fragile vocals come in followed a minute later by keys and a more energetic sound. More vocals and mellotron to end it. "Pilgrims Progress" is an instrumental that opens with flute and mellotron in a mellow beginning. An uptempo section takes over with drums and organ leading the way. More flute 2 minutes in. It calms right down a minute later with flute followed by floods of mellotron. Some nice drumming and then the tempo picks back up 4 minutes in. More mellotron and some great bass lines 6 minutes in. "Time To Dream" opens with bass, drums and then organ, it ends with piano. Nice. Vocals,organ and drums arrive and lead the way. I like the line "Forgive me for staring you remind me of someone i know". Distorted keys come in with some scorching melodies as drums pound away 2 1/2 minutes in. Back to the vocal / bass melody as organ chases. The bass is well done throughout this tune.

"Drum Folk" is another instrumental. It begins with lots of atmosphere as different sounds come and go with no real melody. That is until 1 1/2 minutes in when drums and a flury of keys come charging in. Mellotron and bass follows. The drums are relentless as we get a solo after 2 1/2 minutes. It then calms right down 4 minutes in to some solo flute. Organ and then a minute later some great keyboard sounds.This is great as it goes on and on. Another drums solo before 8 minutes. "Sunkissed You're Not" opens with a drum outburst before vocals come in quickly. Bass and keys standout. I like the vocals on the chorus. Nice instrumental interlude as bass and keys shine. Kind of jazzy. It lightens 4 1/2 minutes in before drums, then vocals return. "Chalkhill" is an instrumental. This one is dark with bass and drums leading the way as keys join in. The organ comes in at 1 1/2 minutes. Nice bass 2 minutes in. The tempo picks up before 3 minutes. Piano to end it.

I wasn't bowled over by this album but to me it's worth 4 stars for the mellotron and warm, catchy tracks. Ok the Roger Dean cover art doesn't hurt either.