FOUNTAINS OF LIGHT

The Rock Candy remastered releases prompt me to review this fine CD for those of who have yet to hear it. With any album you can say you don't like it, you can say you do like it. Just because you don't like it, does not mean to say it is a poor effort. But if you do like it, then the chances are it is a good album too. Well I love this album, which means it is good, but I don't expect everyone to like it. Follow me?

Let's list the negatives first:

1) Too short at 36 minutes, but then that never bothered Rush. 2) Nonsence lyrics, if that kind of thing bothers you. Yes anyone? 3) Errrrm, that's it!

Foutains kicks things off in supeb style. For me, this track defines prog-rock, my favourite track ever. 10 minutes of utter brilliance.

I won't attempt to describe each track, but I shall attempt to decribe the music overall.

This material is very complex. Six virtuosos at the top of their game. Only Kansas come close in this respect, or maybe Satellite from more recent times. Special mention to drums and bass, both highly inventive and entertaining on their own. Vocals are high pitched, not disimilar to Jon Anderson but less harsh. There are loads of over-tracked background vocal harmonies. To some this may seem over the top. There are two guitarists, but keys takes the plaudits, the guy must have had 6 hands to play this stuff live.

Comparisons with Yes? Yawn! Maybe Awaken is a valid comparson if you want to make that link.

This new remaster leaves the Epic releases in the dust, even though I thought the originals were pretty good. The fidelity is amazing. In fact I was a little alarmed to hear a gentle hiss and the odd pop during the soft intro to a couple of tracks. At first I thought these had been recorded from vinyl, but I now realise that in order to tease out the full splendor of this material, it has brought out a few imperfections that the original mix hid. Not a problem though.

Fountains 10/10 Dawning of the day 7/10 Silver winds 8/10 True to the light 10/10 Portraits 10/10 Diamond song 10/10

Cover art 10/10

RIP Gary Strator - what a pity he never got to hear his bass work so faithfully reproduced