UK

Once again, we have prog moving into the dark years. YES, ELP, TULL, GENESIS were all starting to put out excrement, or the precusor of. Out of the darkness comes 2 giants and 2 more-than-able accomplices. Bruford had, of course, been instrumental in 2 of the greatest bands. Wetton, with CRIMSON, ENO, ROXY, et al, had been forging an undeniable presence. Jobson, also with ROXY, was quietly making his mark. Last but not least, Holdsworth, who would herald a brave new world of guitaristry. But to take such parts and to exceed the sum. In the dearth that was 78, I began to believe that there was a future for prog when this album came out. Prog had grown up, and things weren't pretty. "Gates of Delirium" had pointed to this. Things were harsher now. "All Good People" was supplanted with the desperation and lasciviousness of the "Soho neon". "30 years" was rushing in on our dreams, and "Childlike Faith..." no longer won the day. All we could do was "...sleep with one eye open wide", with "Time to kill, giong nowhere". "It's only knock and know all, but I like it" a wise man once said, and cynicism had won the day. But so gloriously and intricately dressed, like a siren on diamond rocks. The beautiful battery of Bruford's drums/drumming. Jobson's ethereal work on the Yamaha CS-80 (I am a mellotron junkie and never missed it). Holdworth's incessant, fluid guitar. Wetton's intimately aggressive bass/voice. Songs, solos, drama, technique, orchestration, power, dynamics,[insert favorite musical device here]. No scent of ulterior monetary motives. Utterly uncomprosing creativity and execution. Absolutely essential. 5 stars.