FEARLESS

The opening track is 'Paddling', which has an intro that starts off like a shoot-out in a movie with the sound of shots being fired and a lot of swearing, then the music begins. This first track shows Fig Leaf taking on a slightly heavier approach than on thier previous albums. 'Paddling' has a fabulous driving rhythm with some stunning keyboards and guitar. Nice vocals from Per Flaa.

The next track is 'This Song', this track starts with a wonderful drum and bass rhythm before a Zappa like sax solo comes in. Theres also some excellent guitar work and then the whole thing quietens down when the vocals come in. From this point the music then gradually builds up with some superb bass and drums and then some superb keyboards. Then it's the turn of Aage on guitar for some breathtaking work. Wonderful vocals and at the end of the track everything fades to the noise of some feedback.

The third track 'Cycle Of Events', this is another track that features some superb sax. Theres quite a jazz feel to this trac, but also this track features some fairly heavy guitar work too. Towards the middle of the track the music mellows out when the vocals come in, but it's not long before theres a wonderful rhythm guitar playing, next a sax solo and then it's back to more heavy guitar with some atmospheric keyboards playing in the background.

The next track 'Dinner At Uncle Uncool's', is split into 2 parts. a) music b) recipe. The track starts with some intricate guitar, lovely keyboards, beautiful percussion and a mellow guitar solo to die for. This is a beautiful track with a recipe used as the lyrics to the song. Don't believe me, well here are the lyrics.

meat and flour sweet and sour butter, oil, onions brocolli and electric power, parsley and pepper tomatoes and shrimps, meat stock, salt, basil ccok 1/3 of an hour pasta and shredded cheese sizzle

then it's more wonderful keyboards and guitar.

The sixth track 'Kings and Court Jesters', this track has a fairly heavy rhythm to it with the flute thats incorporated, this gives the track a medieval feel to it, a bit like some of Gryphon's music. The vocals are once again wonderful and theres also some spacey keyboard effects.

The next track is the title track 'Fearless' and this has 8 parts to it.

Part I - this starts with some keyboards that have quite an orchestral, even symphonic sound. The music does have quite a classical feel to it. Then in comes some heavy guitar which later fades down to a Rhodes/Hammond organ sound. This to me is the sound I kind of associate with Fig Leaf, lots of Hammond organ, Rhodes piano, great rhythms and some stunning guitar work combined with the wonderful vocals from Per Flaa. Theres a very solid drum sound and some great bass. The music changes direction, mood and tempo fairly often within this part, theres also the sound of birds and a flute playing in the background and towards the end theres a sax solo. It kind of reminds me of the sax on Breaking Glass by Hazel O'Connor although it also reminds me a little of Pink Floyd too, then it's back to more guitar flowing into...

Part II- soon after the start of this track theres a change in direction, and this track takes on a more Hard Rock approach. Theres a great rhythm and some great guitar work and keyboards... Part III- this is another heavier track which has it's moments when it goes more into Part IVa fairly laid back rock song. Some of the guitar work reminds me The Eagles and towards the end of the track theres a wonderful guitar solo...

Part IV- dreamy sounding keyboards with the vocals having an echo effect. The music then builds up to a heavier sound. At this point theres some nice keyboards and a great rhythm followed by a breathtaking guitar solo, then it's back to a wonderful rhythm section and on to a superb sax solo. Then it's time for another wonderful guitar solo, sax solo and finally more stunning guitar work. Then thers another change in direction and the music quietens down for some intricate guitar work followed by some atmospheric keyboard sounds which continue into ...

Part V- and takes on more of a Hawkwind/Pink Floyd/ Steve Hillage kind of sound. The keyboards are just stunning and towards the end, the music quietens down to some intricate guitar work and atmospheric keyboards...

Part VI- The vocals to me at the start of this track are done in a Peter Hammill style. Then a heavy guiat comes in and it's all hell breaks loose for a full head onslaught from the band. Once again great rhythm, superb guitar. As the track changes to...

Part VII- theres a change in direction. Theres quite a funky rhythm from the guitar, then some Rhodes piano and then another wonderful rhythm and some superb guitar...

Part VIII- the vocals are quite mellow, the guitar has some moments when it takes on more of a distorted sound and theres also some nice keyboards. The vocals on this track remind me somewhat of Kevin Ayers. After a few minutes the band come in for an all out attack to finish the piece.

Track 15 is 'Santa Cruz', acoustic guitar track with great vocals, in a way it's a little similar to a Pink Floyd track 'San Tropez' on the Meddle album. Towards the end of the track a choir is added and it just sounds like theres a lot of people having a lot of fun.

For me Fig Leaf just seem to improve with every release. Although I would have to say that this is probably Fig Leaf's heaviest release and in some parts, they have moved away from the progressive rock sound. But there are parts when it is progressive rock and I think if your prepared to give this album a listen, then you too will beome a Fig Leaf fan.

Highly Recommended!!!