HITCHHIKING TO BYZANTIUM

I have loved Anubis' second album 'A Tower of Silence' and was initially a little disappointed that Hitchhiking to Byzantium did not give me a follow up of that album, but a new one with a different feel. Gone was the oppressive haunted houses and ghostly apparations and were replaced by songs about real life. To be fair, it took me three years to find my way into this album when their very excellent new 'Second hand' appeared and still had the 'Tower' magic, I came back to try again. I'm glad I did as the beauty in this album is best appreciated as something to hear after the second hand. Highlights are the wonderful title track, the long song 'A Room with a View' and the closer Silent Wandering Ghosts, but with magic guitar solos throughout the album. The keyboards seem more understated on this record than its predecessor or its follow up. There isn't the concept to hang on so it rises or falls on the songwriting, and luckily Hitchhiking has good songs. Approach with open mind if you're a fan of old (or new) Anubis. Three years ago I'd give this album three stars. Today, I feel differently and four and a half feels good.