RING OF HANDS

I was quite positive about Argent debut album (three stars). But even if they deserve a lot of recognition, I am afraid that their second album is way behind their debut one.

You might know that I'm not at all keen on bluesy items. And when I am confronted with a track like Sweet Mary, I am quite confused. Can't stand this! As if the heavy Argent sound wasn't good enough in those early days of (prog) rock music. Still, in this ocean of dull songs, some parts do shine like the great keyboard solo from Cast Your Spell Uranus

Ring Of Hands is not as easy to rate as their debut album. Some of the good tracks like Lothlorien featues some fine and heavy passages but they are combined with rather dull jazzy ones. Make your own choice!

It was a real pleasure to review their debut but this one is waaaaaaaaaaaay beyond. A very average effort actually. More bluesy/funk oriented (but some might love this evolution). Only a few tracks out of this album are really worth. Like Pleasure, during the instrumental part. Because I can't get passionated with these below average vocals.

Argent showed some good potential wit their debut album; but the band didn't quite match the expectations with this one. In those days, it was not easy to be positioned between hard and progressive rock. Because both were only emerging. And Argent' was not a major player.

Two stars.