IN CASE OF LOSS...

This album is a brilliant follow up to their 2006 double album 'Love Hate Round Trip' that I have been listening to non stop since I discovered it a year and half ago, Where 'Round Trip' was sprawling, epic and more conceptual this is a far more succinct effort..

Stylistically they have evolved the dark VdGGesque tone that dominated the past two albums, now incorporating a far wdier sound; including saxaphones, strings and flutes. Each track here is very individual and, unlike their other albums, they all compliment and fit together perfectly. The album opens with 'Beached' which immediately showcases the new energy and sound that binds this album. 'Dont Move' is definitely the standout track. It is a haunting ballard with a fantastic string backing that superbly counterpoints the ghostly vocals and electric piano.

The centrepeice of the album is of course the last track 'The Very Last Number' which is a true classic and their first truly epic track, clocking at 21 minutes. It has a much slower and forboding pace than anything else they have done and really proves what they are capable of.

Areknamés are a band that draw from all kinds of prog and the sound that they have created on this album should appeal to a very wide audience of Proggers. I was not sure what could follow their amazing past efforts but 'In Case of Loss' has surpassed all my hopes. A definite masterpiece.