TWELVE SKETCHES

Multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Spruance seems to have nearly everything he needs to create some successful prog rock music. He has some writing skills. He seems to be competant enough on a wide array of instruments, and has friends to fill in some of the gaps. But there is something missing on this, the first, and as yet the only release from his creation, Taiga.

The songs are somewhat interesting as they are, if not a bit repetitious (I find that some of the themes in different tracks sound all too similar). They create a moody listening environment, that draws the listener in. The problem is, once drawn in, there is not a whole lot inside. Spruance is a fine composer, and creates great rhythm tracks for his songs. But what he needs is a soloist who can take the music to the next level.

That said, there is a nice short piece, Feast Of Bread, that sounds very much like a mellotron, followed by an excellent Canterbury flavored With the Red Sun.

If Spruance can build upon his ideas, he can create some excellent albums.