NATURAL SELECTION

LANDS END should work for me but the combination of poor sounding vocals and songs that just haven't appealed to me have left me disappointed. "Natural Selection" is the best album I have heard from these guys and i do really like what they've done here as far as the songs go for the most part but again the vocals are just so weak in my opinion. Another long one here at 74 minutes including the 30 minute title track but there's lot to like here.

"Strictly Speaking In Geographical Terms" is a short one minute intro of faint sounds. "From The Ruins Of A Fallen Empire" kicks in right away then spacey sounds take over as the drums continue.Vocals a minute in. It settles with piano 4 minutes in followed by vocals and strummed guitar. Electric guitar replaces the vocals. Piano and synths only after 8 1/2 minutes.Vocals are back after 10 minutes. Some guitar expressions late as it blends into "Love Through The Winter And Blood In The Spring". Drums join in as the guitar continues. The guitar stops before 1 1/2 minutes as vocals come in. Drums and guitar with a pulsing sound then the synths lead. It's spacey late and we get some atmosphere as it blends into "An Emptiness That Cannot Be Filled". Acoustic guitar takes over as reserved vocals join in. It slowly builds.Vocals stop and tasteful guitar comes in soaring. It blends into "My Home" which is mellow and instrumental to start.Vocals with a beat before 2 1/2 minutes.

"Natural Selection" is divided into 4 parts although it just shows it as one long song on the stereo. It sounds exotic early on then percussion takes over soon to be joined by vocals and intricate guitar. It stays mellow for some time then it kicks in briefly, then the tempo picks up and it gets fuller.This is good. Guitar before 11 minutes and it's building. Fantastic sound here.The guitar stops and vocals come in before 13 1/2 minutes.The gutar is back after 16 minutes. It turns uptempo and it's quite catchy around 24 minutes.The guitar sounds good 26 minutes in then the vocals return before 28 minutes.

This is where I would suggest you start if you want to test the waters with this band. Some impressive instrumental passages on this one make this a 3.5 star rating.