RED QUEEN TO GRYPHON THREE

RED QUEEN TO GRYPHON THREE is wild, especially in the sense of what style it is. Any classic prog fan will be happy with the power, grandiosity and familiarity of the sound here as Gryphon courts Yes, Genesis, and Gentle Giant in influences, particularly the last one mentioned. But Gryphon are not about to clone anyone, for they have the bassoon and krumhorn at their will; in the bassoon's case, they chuck that instrument all over the album (not surprising since bassoonist Brian Gulland had a hand in writing all of the songs).

Not to flog a dead horse, but the compositions remind me of Gentle Giant with more Renaissance diversions, especially if you hear Phillip Nestor's bass figures. Again, the wind instruments put Gryphon in their own class, but Graeme Taylor's beautiful guitar characterisations are so poignant, yet uplifting that they are a quiet highlight.

The problem here is that the album tires by ''Lament''; the great run that ''Opening Move'' and ''Second Spasm'' take just sputter out leaving ''Checkmate'' as a rather familiar yet unfitting closing track. Gryphon's take on progressive rock is an odd one, but a take that symphonic lovers will enjoy and eclectic-minded fans can respectfully appreciate.

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