MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

I had purchased this album last summer and I was immediately, and pleasantly surprised by it. Im not a fan so much of prog in the 90`s or in this decade, but this album gleams like diamond in the garbage.. The tracks are accessible and catchy with melodic hooks that have you humming afterwards Much of the album is engaging. The weakest link is possibly the last track, the instrumental Holding Your Breath. But even this is not bad,but i has the feel of a backing track that neede words.. Sleepwalk, Hiding In The Corner and G13 are very vibrant and engaging songs. The simple lyrics for G13. `I wish the sun would shine on me, oh I need it to shine bright' are nonetheless effective and stirring in the context of the emotional music. They reasonate a chord with me on the way how life is for me nowadays, but this is not the time or place to talk about that. Martin Orford may not be Emerson on the keys, but his textures add emotional ambience to the tracks. Bassist John Jowitt`s lines are thick and upfront, a rarity nowadays for bass playing.Drummer Stephen Christy is in crisp form here as well But the biggest surprise here is Gary Chandler. While I dont think his singing is so impressive; it`s not a bad voice, but it`s an accquired taste. it does happen to grow on you. His guitar solos are his strongest suit, very emotional and stirring, particualrly on `Wonderful world', reminiscent of the best of Hackett and Howe. The title track is light and engaging, a nice contrast to the intensity of the first three tracks, showing these guys can go the acoustic route.. If you are looking for out and out progressive rock in the form of Yes, forget it, but if you are looking for adventurous,melodic, tuneful , songwriting with ensemble ,sublime playing that`s high on emotional content, then this album is definitely a must have. Good quality songwriting is where it all starts for me and there is not much of that nowadays.