ATLANTIS

Given this album's reputation as one of their more progressive releases, I was a bit disappointed by it overall. The band has admitted it was kind of rushed, and it sounds like it. The title suite on the first side has some really nice moments, but the main theme pops up a little too often and it isn't that arresting a melody anyway. The second side, with titles like "Interlude", "Theme From Atlantis", and "Fanfare" even looks like a group of disjointed ideas without an overall structure to cling to.

With that criticism out of the way, I will say that Earth and Fire is one of my favorite bands, so pardon me if I expect fantastic things from them. As I said, the title suite does have a couple of interesting and charming melodies, and you certainly shouldn't be too disappointed if this is the first thing you've heard by them. And "Fanfare" is actually a fine piece of instrumental prog, so no serious complaints there.

The album also contains the single "Maybe Tomorrow, Maybe Tonight", the latest in a line of superb pop/prog crossover singles the band delivered during the 1970s As per usual with this band, the chorus of the song is very strong and catchy. It's not one of my favorite singles, but it's actually a standout track on this otherwise confused album. "Love, Please Close the Door" ends the album with a pretty ballad that's quite nice but still doesn't leave too much of an impression.

Overall, a good album, but they've done much better.