FOR ALL WE SHARED

At first, I must say that this album is very nice. I'm quite unfamiliar with the stages of the band this album being the first one I've listened, but I've been waiting for long to have a chance to listen their work. I'm one of those people who found out about Mostly Autumn from 'The Human Equation'. Heather Findlay sings wonderfully in it, but here I have to say I am disappointed, because the lady sings the lead vocals for just one song. My high expectations for this album lowered, but not much. I borrowed this debut from the library about a week ago and have listened it very much. The music needed no deeper discoveries being very simple, and so I feel one with the album and qualified to review it. The music indeed is quite simple, but that is not a problem in this record. I've still found some problems.

Still, the music of Mostly Autumn is rather interesting. There are a number of pure pop rock tracks in this piece, but some energetic traditional English music can be found too. The album include much of ambient forest noises with birds singing, beautiful, calm tracks with great, emotional vocals, folkish flutes with calm ones too. But sometimes I feel that this album sinks into a musical mess. Like that there is nothing that keep these songs together, nothing that combines the tracks into an album. It's like the whole point of the music falls apart. The songs are good and all, but that's a disturbing factor. I may say it like it is a disaster, which is not true. For me, it is a problem, but it doesn't spoil the album. One other minor thing is that the lead singer Bryan Josh is very average when it comes to singing. He does fine work, but ruins couple of points. For example the first vocals in 'Porcupine Rain'. Despite those, the music of this album is very good.

The first track, 'Nowhere to Hide (Close My Eyes)' is nothing more than a pop rock song with catchy chorus, which is repeated maybe couple of times too much. As an opener, this works in some way. The track is followed by a slight disappointment. 'Porcupine Rain' is musically nothing special, as well as the first track, but they have some qualities that don't make them bad songs. Very strong, emotional singing in the first track and a hypnotizing feeling through the second, but nothing that even reminds of progressive music. These first two tracks represents the pop rock side of Mostly Autumn.

'The Last Climb' begins with the previously mentioned bird singing, perhaps in a forest. Calm track with soft vocals, and beautiful violins, which flows like the time has stopped. Mellow guitar solo limps along to the end of the song. Slow tempo, highly enjoyable track, which is followed by 'Heroes Never Die'. Calm beginning with nice flutes. Very emotional singing by Josh. The phrase "The ways, the ins and outs of heaven still elude us to the end" catches the listeners ears everytime it comes. The song evolves from the calm beginning to a rockier direction, but does that very gently. The guitar solo that strikes out from nowhere lasts until the end of the song. These two tracks represents the little more folkier rock of Mostly Autumn. Both of the songs are long compositions and include a very long guitar solo and share beautiful emotions. Tied together they are fantastic.

'Folklore' is a folk song with traditional English melodies. Very cheerful point in the album. Very energetic track, which brings visions of historical dances. I can imagine a ball in the Middle Ages where this song is played. At least until the point when drums join. This song tries to combine traditional music with modern one. The mixture is a fine one. 'Boundless Ocean' is very beautiful with the flute melodies and the vocals. The song flows with acoustic guitars and soft touch. Beautiful track. The next one, 'Shenanigans' is almost like 'Folklore'. Apparently Faulds has composed this song completely, but this reminds me too much of the earlier 'Folklore'. I still enjoy both of the songs very much. 'Steal Away' is great track, because it include the voice of Heather Findlay. Just kidding of course, but she sings the lead vocals with her soft, tender voice and does great work. 'Out of the Inn' is very folkish rock track. Instrumental track with progressive edge. Funny intro singing though. The final track, 'The Night Sky' is very calm finisher. I think that could be one trademark, this is my first album, but I've listened 'The Gap is Too Wide' and that is the last song in The Spirit of Autumn Past. Beautiful flutes, vocals and violins and good, long guitar solo. 'Folklore', 'Shenanigans' and 'Out of the Inn' represents the folk side of Mostly Autumn. All these songs has a clear rocky tune. 'Boundless Ocean', 'Seal Away' and the final track 'The Night Sky' represents beautiful, melodic side of Mostly Autumn.

All the songs together represents Mostly Autumn. Their music can be described as beautiful, folky pop rock with a slight progressive edge. This debut album is hopefully not their best work. At least the reviewers think that way. This album is very enjoyable, but has flaws. I don't see this as an album very clearly. It is heap of songs in an album. At least I found no combining factor. Still, the songs are good, and together they are Mostly Autumn's 'For All We Shared...'. I can't recommend this album much, but if you like folk rock, this could be good. For me, this album is good, but non-essential. 3/5 stars.

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