SILENT CRIES AND MIGHTY ECHOES

Silent Cries and Mighty Echoes, the follow-up album to their most successful work, Ocean, is an admirable space rock experience, weaving a measure of sonic experimentation with refreshing consistency. As with Van der Graaf Generator or The Mars Volta, the vocals are unique, and as such, will put off many listeners. I found the vocals initially irritating, but over time, I have grown to accept and appreciate them as a part of what makes Eloy distinctive. On this record, the singer shines rather than sickens.

"Astral Entrance" A slow atmosphere with soft guitar leads builds in a similar vein to the first several minutes of Pink Floyd's "Shine on You Crazy Diamond."

"Master of Sensation" Following Frank Bornemann's urgent vocals (one of his strongest moments), an incredible synthesizer lead pierces through. The electric guitar solo is equally satisfying.

"The Apocalypse" Bornemann sings reservedly over a synthesizer pad in the beginning of this tripartite extended song. After this introduction, an organ-led groove not unlike what could be heard in late 1970s Van der Graaf Generator lays the foundation for spacy keyboards and lead guitar. It evolves throughout, visiting various psychedelic themes.

"Pilot To Paradise" This slightly heavier track is rhythmically simple and reminds me of The Alan Parsons Project. The middle passage borrows symphonic textures.

"De Labore Solis" Weaving a lonely atmosphere (my mind thinks of the wild west in space for some reason), this is a melancholic but impressive song.

"Mighty Echoes" The final tune is in keeping with the overall mood of the album but is simply the least impressive of the crew. That is not to say it is a bad track; it contains exciting keyboard themes and a steady yet creative bass line. An excellent, if repetitive conclusion to one of Eloy's finest albums.