ON DRY LAND

This is a great name for a band (apparently taken from a joke in 'Naked Gun'), and 'On Dry Land' is the debut album from the Dutch proggers. All of the four-piece sing, and this is an album that is mixing together styles from bands such as Timothy Pure and Spock's Beard together with Rush and possible even Kansas. "Culley on Bleeker Street" starts off with the sounds of traffic in New York and I was convinced that this album came from that side of the pond. There are sections within the songs that are stunningly intricate, while maintaining a very heavy edge, that show that this band have real talent. Yep, there's a 'but' coming. Having heard the opener I was convinced that I was hearing a great album, but that hope was dashed with "Oversight". There are large bits of this song that are wonderful, but the repetitive chorus just grates, and I found that my initial enthusiasm was waning. It wasn't brought back to life with "Wintersong", which I am sure was being deliberately depressing, but again I had problems with the chorus.

The frustrating thing for me is that they can be very good indeed, and some of the songs are superb. They can combine emotion and musical ability with sensitivity and hooks that keep the tunes buoyant. "Hope You Don't Mind" has a lot going for it with strong vocals and guitars, and a brilliant break in the middle of the song with a total shift in direction. I know that other reviewers have given the album unqualified praise but for me it is "good, (sometimes great), but could be better". Visit the interesting band site at www.nicebeaver.nl or Cyclops at www.gft- cylcops.co.uk

Originally appeared in Feedback #69, Aug 02