GALASPHERE 347

3.5 stars. This is a multi-national four piece band and yes we can call this a supergroup. Mattias Olsson on drums, Jacob Holm-Lupo guitar, Ketil Vestrum Einarsen keyboards and flute and Stephen Bennett on vocals and keyboards. These guys play more instruments but these are their main weapons. This is Stephan Bennett's baby and he's from HENRY FOOL and certainly that band's debut was brought to mind when listening to this record. Some funny quotes attributed to each musician in the liner notes like under Stephen it says "Jar har en fuzz-box och jag ska anvanda den". Under Ketil it says "No, it's not prog. It's basically a pop band. The songs are just a little bit longer than normal." Under Jacob "This is the final version", and lastly Mattias "I've seen the mix notes".

First listens are telling for me and the vocals do not convince me and especially on that second track. If I didn't know Mattias was the drummer I'd be complaining. Okay still am because of the "sound" of the drums which I find annoying. They clearly are out to get a certain sound here as we get a spacey record with lots of synths and vocals. The guitar takes a back seat to the two keyboardists but the drums are so upfront.

The cover art is something I'll keep quiet about but I'm not a fan. I was really surprised the first time I put this on and heard the start of "The Voice Of Beauty Drowned" as Stephen and the sound reminded me of PENDRAGON after 1 1/2 minutes following a spacey intro. More depth after two minutes and here the vocals bring Bruce Soord to mind. Themes are repeated and we get a flute led instrumental section after 4 1/2 minutes. A change after 6 1/2 minutes as synths solo over the beats and more. Organ after 8 minutes then back to vocals. Not into those vocal harmonies at all after 9 minutes. Poppy stuff. There's more of this later in the record.

"The Fallen Angel" is my least favourite of these three long tracks. The vocals 2 minutes in when it all gets more passionate are difficult for me. At first they are fragile with percussion and spacey sounds. I do like the canterbury organ at 5 1/2 minutes and before 7 minutes. Not big on the lyrics here either. Vocals are more like Tim Bowness when they return before 8 minutes. Catchy stuff before 10 1/2 minutes with vocals but I'm just not into it. The closer is "Barbarella's Lover" and it begins with piano and mellow vocals. Not sure about this. It kicks in with upfront drums and more passionate vocals. Percussion and atmosphere only at 3 1/2 minutes. Hey some guitar at 5 1/2 minutes. So refreshing but the drums dominate. Tim Bowness like vocals after 9 1/2 minutes but he sounds more like Edward Ka-Spel late.

Most seem to be huge fans of this record so consider my words with a grain of salt as they say. This just isn't my music.