SONGS FROM THE LIAR'S LAIR

I can see where this might be compared to post-Gabriel but pre-pop Genesis, and even why some people might enjoy it. But for me, the album is marred by one of the most irritating singers in progressive rock I have ever heard. Now I like Roine Stolt, but I realize the main man behind The Flower Kings has a shaky voice. This fellow sounds like Stolt in the middle of a seizure when he is quiet, but sounds like Joe Walsh with his mouth full of gobstoppers when he hits higher notes. Musically, the album is okay, but barely- it's uninspired at best and almost as annoying as the singer at worst. It'd be best to avoid this one.

"Entering" This is a promising opening, beginning with gurgling electronic sounds, but is later full of strings and powerful electric guitar.

"Martial Arts" The introduction of the first track explodes into what is normally reserved for the end of the finale at a live concert- loads of cadenza-like bits and double bass thudding. While not a terrible composition per se, the first half of this track almost gives me a headache, mainly due to the drumming and that awful vocalist. I can't stand the terrible instrumentation used, and the lyrics are kind of silly ("I got caught again with my pants down holding a sword," followed by something I can't make out, and then the falsetto backup singers chanting, and the lead singer singing, "my precious ding-a-ling?" Really? Really?). The only noteworthy thing about this piece is the lead guitar, and even that can be grating at times.

"The Lie And The Liar" Lovely acoustic guitar accompanies the not-so-lovely voice of the singer. There some obvious references to the X-files ("Maulder and Scully," unless I am completely mishearing the lyrics). Once again, the guitar is the highlight, but that isn't saying very much. Inexplicable chanting occurs at the end, but very briefly.

"Why Don't You Go Away" An ironic question, given the repetitive sound and goofiness. Mostly, it's a noisy track with, again, terrible vocals and more unexpected monk-like singing at the end.

"Sons Of Madness" I picture this as theme music for an early 1980s evening television show, I'm sorry to say. The synthesizer and guitar solos are a positive element to this otherwise awful piece of work.

"The Lament Of Ghosts" Soft piano begins this track, followed by gentle guitar and that twisted singing voice (singing some equally disturbing lyrics). Musically, this has to be one of the most irritating tracks ever (I literally reached for my volume knob a time or two). It's downright repetitive at the end.

"Liar's Lair" With goofy lyrics and singing as though this were a third-rate musical, the final track goes on. It doesn't sound too terrible overall, but is fairly unremarkable, with nothing to set it apart from what many other bands in this genre are doing.