GOING FOR THE ONE

I've never understood why this is such a 'fan favourite'. I thought it was on much the same level as the following 'Tormato'. Like that album, back in the days of LP, it had one good side and one that left a lot to be desired. Of course, Going for the One has the advantage of the great Awaken to round out side two.

SIDE ONE

This shows an enormous comedown from the range and ambition of the magnificent Relayer. Two pedestrian rockers, the title track and Parallels, give more than a foretaste of the 80s, with bland formulaic AOR music and faintly aspirational lyrics with platitudinous lines like "you've been playing with fire". Between them, the only worthwhile track "Turn of the century" is a subtle and moving creation. It is however somewhat long-winded and I prefer the similar but more concise Madrigal on Tormato.

SIDE TWO

This is quite a different matter. "Wondrous stories" is a beautiful little song and prepares us from the monumental "Awaken" which is probably the last truly great prog epic ever (or at least of the golden age). Much has been written about this masterpiece and I cannot add to it except to say that it is the presence of this track which has led this album to be overrated. 3 stars.

BONUS MATERIAL

"Montreux's theme" a short and slight instrumental. Pleasant enough. "Vevey (revisited)" features an almost classical guitar solo over sustained organ backgrounds, which has the atmosphere of an Anglican hymn or even, one might say, a funeral parlour. It is fair enough. "Amazing Grace" perhaps the hymn-like quality of the last number brought to mind this famous tune, which is played as a guitar solo. Frankly it is less than inspired.

The remainder of bonuses consist of rehearsals of tracks from the album plus a very early version of Awaken which is probably the most interesting track here.