GOODBYE TO THE AGE OF STEAM

From the River to the Sea was their first demo, followed by The Infant Hercules, both pretty awful to be honest. A young band's first compositions I guess. So initially, I ignored this album, not expecting anything too much better. Eventually I think I won a CD prize and chose this as I already had every album I wanted. I gave it a few plays but ws not very impressed so I put it away. Months later a few more spins, then Bingo! On about the 10th play I realised that this was a classic. Suddenly it all fell into place, the sumptuous melodies, the fantastic complex arrangements and that lovely and unique keyboard sound. I read somewhere that Mike Holmes (IQ) said the band had been abducted and replaced by aliens between The Infant Hercules and GTTAOS - maybe true!

To me their sound and style is unique. Not overtly prog like IQ and Pendragon, great though those bands are. There is something very subtle going on with BBT, something that you need to get used to, to tune into, before it makes sense.

I won't even try to describe the individual tracks, I like every minute of every one.

The bottom line is that there is a great album here if only you give it the chance to grab you.