Nº 6

Add another half star for innovation. Imagine King Crimson's 'Fracture' as interpreted by a classical chamber orchestra in session with a highly professional rockband, all musicians playing loud, fast and aggressive and you might just be just on your way to understanding the sound of Present on this album. It's a relentless wall of hammering pianos, jigsaw- guitars and drilling bass lines coupled with intricate rhythm patterns and 12tone-like melody lines. What you get in the end is probably the most interesting, rewarding and ultimately unforgettable listening experience in recent years, at least if you are interested in Progressive Music progression and desparate to hear something other than luke-warm-ups of another Yes, Genesis etc... tune.