TO KEEP FROM CRYING

Had this album been made in, say, 1969, it would probably be groundbreaking. Pretty pop songs with a folk touch and competent musicianship (Roger Wootton's vocals kind of being the weakest point, though that doesn't mean they are bad). However, it was made in 1974, after most of the things this album is doing had already been done, and the songs themselves aren't that strong to overshadow their obvious influences, which range between The Beatles, Beach Boys, T Rex and even ABBA (see the track 'So Long Supernova'). In inevitable comparison to 'First Utterance', there are virtually no similarities between that album and this one (Roger Wootton's vocals in the first track remind a little, but that's pretty much it).

Overall, a pleasant, but not very attention-grabbing album. Forget that you ever listened to the début and I'm sure you'll find it enjoyable.