SPECTRES

Even though this album is very polished and not what you would call a prog masterpiece, I have to agree with a lot of other reviewers that it is one of my favorite BOC albums that in it's highpoints, has really stood the test of time quite well. So, I'm tempted to rate it high since I love this album, but that is because of the personal preference and not as it's contribution to Progressive rock. But I will refrain by keeping my personal feelings in the review and not in the rating. Yes there are some great prog highlights included in the album, so it's not a total wash out if you are looking for some great essential songs, but the album as a whole is more radio friendly, which usually turns me away from an album, but not this one. The prog highlights here are "Golden Age of Leather" and "Nosferatu".

I just want to make it clear that I still do love this album. The opener is the appropriate "Godzilla" which is the single that everyone loves. Next is "Golden Age of Leather", which is a great prog song with changing tempos, time signatures and it doesn't seem as forced as the prog songs they tried to create in the album "Mirrors". "Death Valley Nights" is the next track and is one of my favorite BOC tracks. I can't tell you why I love this song so much, but it always sticks in my head and not in some obnoxious way, its one of those songs that you like having in your head. "Searching for Celine" has a great instrumental break. The next four songs are kind of similar, with a few interesting parts in them, but nothing spectacular to set them apart much. Just enjoyable songs mostly. "I Love the Night" is another favorite of mine and it is a beautiful ballad which I feel would have done great on the radio, but it's probably good that it wasn't a single since it would have been worn out by now from being overplayed. "Nosferatu" is yet another BOC fav of mine, and the very appropriate closer for the album. "Only a woman can break his spell/Pure in heart who will offer herself to Nosferatu". Great song with excellent instrumentals.

Again, great album, just not as progressive as their earlier ones. In reality, I would create another rating just for this album of 3.5 stars with "EXCELLENT addition to any ROCK collection" as the description. Great stuff I must say. I will round that up to 4 stars since there are some great progressive moments worth listening to here.

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