ZEN FOR SALE

3.5 stars. Gary Ramon and his band SUN DIAL had a very busy and creative first half of the 90's, releasing five studio albums plus a live recording. Ramon then took a break from his own music to work on other band's albums at his studio. I don't think fans were expecting an eight year wait for another album though. And "Zen For Sale" is that record, released in 2003. It's interesting that he's brought in Joolie Woods previously from CURRENT 93 to play violin, keyboards and recorder here.

We get mellotron on four tracks including on that closer called "Reflections" which is a very BEATLES-like tune, and a top three track for me. Add "Supernatural Man" to that top three, and yes there's mellotron here as well. Lastly "Open Your Eyes" rounds out my top three and it has that grinding guitar and a heavy groove to it. I also want to mention "You're Still Wondering" that opener that has a PORCUPINE TREE vibe to it. It's just outside of my favourites, and really this one along with the other five tracks I haven't mentioned are very hit and miss.

I do think this is a worthy comeback album. It checks that 60's vibe that Ramon is into. And while I feel that this recording is just outside my top three records from SUN DIAL, I also feel like it's the best of the rest. Well worth checking out.