NATIONAL HEALTH

I don't know if you'd call it ironic or scary that this would be the album I had in my car when Pip Pyle passed away. Either way, Canterbury is a tricky genre to review. The style is hard to get into, but rewarding in the long run and this particular album is that in a nutshell. My favorite track happens to be the first, "Tenemos Roads" which starts out hard and jamming with the God of keyboards Mr. David Stewert's fuzzy organ blasting some dark prog. In fact, it's surprising how dark this songs is for the most part but don't worry, the famous Canterbury whimsy shows up halfway with the super-angelic voice of Northette Amanda Parsons chirping and crooning until the finale, a rousing staccato barrage of darkness courtesy of Stewert's keyboards. From here on out it's a jamming jazz/prog style that takes a few spins to get into but will bring a smile to your face. My only gripe is the lack of any melodies that stick, other than the beginning and end of the first track. It's mostly instrumental with Amanda Parson singing here and there, (although what she's singing I haven't the foggiest idea). It's all about the playing on this disc, and boys and girls it's impressive. If, on the other hand, you're looking for memorable grooves look elsewhere, otherwise for all you Canterbury fans it's a no-brainer 5 star classic. But in all honesty, it boils down to 4....close tho....