THE INCONSOLABLE SECRET

"The Inconsolable Secret" is a two-disc set; disc one is titled "The Knights" disc two "The Lady". ELP, Yes, and Spock's Beard influences can be heard throughout the first disc. Plenty of time changes, dynamics, interesting compositions and musicianship abounds. The male vocals aren't great and may take time to warm up to. The epic 24:39 minute "The Knight of the North" stands out as the highlight of the CD. The Knights is amazing and gets five stars.

The second disc sounds like a completely different band. It's nice to be diverse, but what happened? Minus the first two tracks and the classical sounding pieces, most of the music is very atmospheric fluffy background stuff. The female vocals are nice but the music is very dull at times. The Lady gets two stars.

If the entire CD was comparable to The Knights it would surpass "Shadowlands", but unfortunately it fails to do so.