WINTERCOAST

Whats so good about it?

For a start the production is brilliant, top class, every note is crystal clear, a band on top of their game and progressing in every department. The vocals are superb ranging from full blown rock to the sensitive. I like the fact that Elkie's and Rob's vocals compliment each other as in the vocal interchange during "Wintercoast".

"Prelude" is a nice link to the previous album and Jeremy Irons provides the mood setting before we blast into the quiet stunning "Wintercoast".

"Strange Days" the second song provides nice relief, after the intensity of the title track, a bouncing number revealing its pop sensibilities and a shout along chorus.

"Voices" follows a slower number with again a rocky chorus, nice rhythm to this song and again great vocals.

"Joker in the Pack" and "Original Sin" combine all that is excellent about Touchstone, the heavy guitar mixing with the keyboards, the slow, the fast, the bass and drums all in perfect unison.

The song "Solace" is the real surprise of the album, Elkie sounding so beautiful and heart wrenching (are you sure she is the youngest in the band?) I can't wait to hear this live (well can't wait to hear it all live) (post note I have since heard it live and it is wonderful),this is the sort of song Mostly Autumn keep trying to do but fail due to lack of production values and not having an excellent band,, Moo's bass is rather nice understated (that must have been hard Moo). The final "I'll Look after You" has a crack in Elkie's voice which betrays the emotion of the song (Gram Parsons knew how good this vocal effect was).

"Zinomorph" is just the right song to follow, Moo being funky! and some nice Adam heavy guitar which stops the song falling into pop, again Rob's vocals, which I feel are overlooked at times, are effective.

At this point I must say Al's drumming is spot on, and an enjoyment to hear, he and Moo form an effective rhythm section and of course I have yet to mention the maestro Lord Cotters who weaves his magic throughout, his piano and keyboards are, maybe, no , are the best in the business at this moment. Adam's guitar is so damn heavy at times and at others subtle and quiet and he does not try to overide the sound, a trap so many fall into.

"Line in the Sand" again classic Touchstone, a great keyboard line behind the guitar and then into Keith Emerson territory with a piano break followed by a proggy synth type line finishing off with a piano and vocal ending. Elkie really has come into her own on this album her vocals really take you on an emotional journey.

"The Witness" a dark number , shades of Marillion here I feel a'la "Invisible Man" at the start and the music conveys the panic and confusion of the lyrics, superb keyboards and drumming. Which leads us to "The Witness Pt 2", classic life story telling from Rob, building up where again the two voices of Rob and Elkie intertwine.

"Postlude" Jeremy is awake!

In a way i wish that the album had ended there, although "Zinomorph (Radio Mix" does seem like the theme tune over the closing credits.

All in all a brilliant album, sine the release i have seen the band three times live and am looking forward to seeing them again in December ... they really are a band who are progressing and developing and i would really recomend this CD to you. 5 stars I know but it is a 5 star album!

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