AN ERROR OF JUDGEMENT

Spiral Key created eight searing tracks featuring crisp, seamless, rich progressive music coupled with provocative, sometimes apocalyptic lyrics.

'An Error of Judgement' is their second release.

Spiral Key:

Spiral Key is David McCabe (guitar, vocals, orchestral arrangements) and Ken Wynne (bass guitar, vocals). Spiral Key are joined on this album with the amazing Chris Allan on drums who performs all drumming on the album and along with Dan Carter make up the band when playing live.

In addition, several guests provide other musical contributions.

Not really concept album, yet certainly conceptual'

Lyrics focus on some of the stark events of the times- and some that seem sadly almost timeless, like religious bigotry, closed-minded smug self-certainty, and mindless trust in those who don't deserve it.

There's a strong call to use of reason, and staying true to self in spite of many pressures to follow destructive paths.

My current favorite track, Possessive, along with Sanctimonious, embodies much of these lyrical themes, and also moves into the kind of musical grandeur and energy that makes this album, and Spiral Key, so engaging.

But the MUSIC:

I suppose if the lyrics were sheer blather, it might change my mind a little, but it's hard to argue with the compositions and musicianship.

Tight ensemble playing, lush keyboard work, searing and soaring guitars, thunderous bass, and crisp precise drumming, topped by supple, lithe vocals, and too infrequently, wondrous harmonies.

If there was one factor I'd change, it might be more of those harmonies, and more variation in the vocal textures.

I was especially taken by the way lyrics and instrumentation worked together, in a near-cinematic or operatic manner. There might be rugged riffs one moment, then orchestration that called to mind symphonic music.

What a satisfying musical feast!

My rating:

Four out of Five pristine pearls.

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