ADVENT

A lovely, intelligent album put together by an American band of essentially amateur musicians (and an Italian label has to release it?). Recorded over several years on a part-time basis by Alan Benjamin and co., but this does not show because everything sounds most professional. Benjamin is a self-confessed Gentle Giant fan: the harmonies heard on several tunes and the references on BITB, give that away. However, this isn't a hard copy of GG, there are other things and other influences - I'm sure there is even some Go West to be discovered, while the tight guitar solos are Holdsworthian. "Maginot Line" and "Trompe L'Oeil " are standout tracks. It is also an album which has stood the test of time, by me having me regularly playing it since finding it secondhand a few months after it release. We are promised a follow-up, but perhaps in the next 10 years.

Worth a three and half star rating, if that existed - folks should support independent artists who make good music!!!!