HOTSPELL

There's been a fairly major change in personnel by the time of this album, although three members of the classic line- up are still there, and some of the replacements have strong Aussie prog credentials (Steve Hogg from Bakery, Andy Cowan whose keyboards provided the proggiest element in Madder Lake). With this album, they still have very strong jazz-rock leanings, but in the context of songwriting with a more commercial soft-rock edge - somewhat like Steely Dan. That's not completely a break with their past, since some of the songs on Beyond arguably pointed in that direction, but there's not so much of the harder-edged rock element that was present in their earliest work. The arrangements are all very sophisticated, and it's all well-played - I certainly can't say I hate it - but the prog-focused listener won't find a lot to interest them there.

I've given it three stars, though there'd be an argument for reducing that to two. If it ever comes out on CD, I'll buy it, or if I ever see an affordably-priced vinyl copy; but it's not an album I'd want to spend big bucks on.

Share this AYERS ROCK review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to sl75
• Report this review (#2878794)
• Buy AYERS ROCK music online with PA partners
• Show all AYERS ROCK MP3/Stream
• Go to AYERS ROCK page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Hotspell page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for AYERS ROCK related discussions