THE FRUIT FALLEN

3.5 stars. EDENSONG is the project of vocalist / guitarist James Byron Schoen. In the liner notes he thanks "Ian Anderson as the obvious representative for the too-many-name others whose music has inspired me over the years". So not surprisingly there is flute on every track along with lots of acoustic guitar and violin. Lots of guests on this one too,so we hear a wide array of instruments.This is a very proggy album with elements of Folk, Symphonic and even Metal.

"Water Run" opens with acoustic guitar as just about all the songs do. Drums then violin follow before vocals and flute join in. Flute and drums are prominant, there is some piano and organ too. The vocals don't do a lot for me at times. "The Baptism" is more laid back to start with until flute comes in. It settles back down when reserved vocals and mournful violin take over. Kicks back in as contrasts continue. Some nice bass 5 minutes in as the organ floats in the background. "Reflection" is mellow with fragile vocals and lots of acoustic guitar and flute. "The Prayer" sounds great before 2 minutes with the heavy drums, flute and violin. Vocals join in and organ. A calm follows with acoustic guitar as contrasts continue. "Nocturne" is the only song to open with vocals and piano. It kicks in before 2 minutes which sounds much better. The bass, drums and organ standout. Some heaviness with flute before 5 1/2 minutes. A calm 6 1/2 minutes with vocals in the style of Phideaux. Great section before 8 minutes.

"The Sixth Day" opens with acoustic guitar as outbursts of heaviness come and go. Vocals before 2 minutes. Riffs 6 minutes in, a minute later and more before 8 minutes. Passionate vocals 9 minutes in. Good song. "One Breath To Breathe" opens with drums and flute and is a mellow track for the most part. Acoustic guitar and piano help out as well. "The Reunion" is the almost 22 minute closer. It opens with acoustic guitar as vocals and harmonies arrive before a minute. Some heaviness 2 minutes in. Contrasts continue. Ripping guitar after 4 minutes. Thankyou. Organ, flute and drums 8 minutes in. The song stops dead before 10 minutes and stays that way for some reason until after 13 minutes. Guitar comes in sounding great as they "rock out". It does settle at times but the last 9 minutes of this song is refreshingly aggressive.

Good album, but at 75 minutes it feels too long. The vocals are hit and miss for me, but really there's not much to complain about or rave about on this album.