THE BLACK CHORD

Well, to be honest, I was ready to condemn it after the first listenings... but then I got to like it!

It's too easy to be proud about the sources of the band's material, but what's the point? We aren't getting any new material from the 'old' sources these days, and I like the kind of material being offered here. Always have.

So, you could say that it's a mix of Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, Yes and Rick Wakeman, but of course it's NOT them! I wouldn't say that it overall sounds like the Floyd, which was maybe the impression that I was getting before I'd actually heard it. The band try to find parts of the classics that worked, and then try to incorporate them into their sound. Rather like trying to dig five tunnels under a river, and getting them to meet up successfully!

Where the album fails (for me at least), is that it isn't reflective enough. See? I told you it wasn't like the Floyd. She runs at quite a pace.

Anyway, the surprise is that they give the album a great ending, in the true spirit, no less.

Yes, I was cynical, but the download was well cheap, so I thought I'd see if my brother (a Floyd fan) might like it. I don't reckon that he would actually, (because it's too fast-paced), but don't that put you off giving it a go.

It's not groundbreaking, but you can see where the sources of the material are, so if you liked that kind of thing 40 years ago, you'll probably give it the thumbs up.

Also, if you're like me, it seems that you might need to give it a proper chance to ultimately win you over.