THE LAST ENCORE

The Last Encore is the last record with Max Werner on vocals and marks the end of the symphinic progressive period of Kayak. After this record Kayak moved more into the cross-over prog scene hoping to achieve some more commercial succes. The last Encore seems less influenced by other bands like Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyed and the sound is just Kayak as if they had never heard another band!

The sound of the Last Encore is mostly piano centered, maybe because Ton Scherpenzeel is one of the main songwriters in Kayak together with Pim Koopman. The music is really symphonic, almost like "Scheherazade" of Renaissance, but is quiet different in it's emotions. This record is full of emotion and sounds really natural; and that's why this record may be the best Kayak recording, although it didn't sell that good.

"Love of a Victim" is the only straight forward rock song. This is one of my favourite songs on the record, because it is more up-tempo and therefor brings some energy in the otherwise slower and more symphonic recordings. Still this song is quiet unusual in it's sound and progression. "Love me Tonight/ Get on Board" may be the weirdest track on the record. The song sounds like an old recording out of the beginning of the 20th century, but this was intended. It's happy and strange and is a real nice addition to this record.

Max Werner stopped after this record as a vocalist, because he sufferd from severe podium anxiety. So he changed his role from the frontman to the drums, which is more in the background and which he really loved to do. One of Kayak's greatest fans became the new vocalist. So, this recording is the end of an episode, and in my opinion a worthy end. This is symphonic prog at a high level.