THE STORY SO FAR

As much as I admire this band, I also thought that most of their studio albums were not all that good. With the possibly exception of tjheir third, The Last Bright Light (a real fine CD), they never managed to write enough convincing stuff to fill up their Albums (always too long). However, there was some interesting tunes on all of them and I was wondering how they´d sound live. Would they make a good setlist containing their best? So I took my chances with The Story So far, their very first. And I was not disappointed.

Most of the songs here wound slightly better then their studio counterparts. And the selection is simply excellent, including their best two compositions ever: the epics Mother Nature and Heroes Never Die. But there is more, like the very strong renditions of The Spirit Of Autumn Past and Shriking Violet. The powerful, blistering version of Never The Rainbow (MA´s most rocking number so far) is another highlight among many.

Not that is perfect. In fact, the first two numbers are not well mixed, and gave me a wrong impression when I first heard this CD. The drums, for instance, are way too loud for their kind of music. But all of the sudden, from the third track onwards, everything works. Bryan Josh´s lead guitar soars beautifully all through the record (echoes of Pink Floyd´s David Gilmour guitar style of course, but beautiful anyway). The band is in tight and the blending voices of Josh and Heather Findley are gorgeous, out of the european folk tradition of male and female singing.

My copy came with a bonus CD of live songs but none is from the same period. It´s really more a compilation of tracks taken from other live albums done after this one like Live At The Canterbury´s Fayre and Pink Floyd Revisted, including a convincing 17 minute version of PF´s Echoes. It´s nice, but nothing´s new. It´d would be far more interesting if some unissue material was included.

Conclusion: an excellent live record that shows the band on their ideal enviroment. The tracklist is very good and the playing superb. If you are a fan of Mostly Autumn then this is a must have. if you´re mew to the group, well, just listen to this CD and give them a chance.