WHITE PIGEON, YOU CLEAN...

I was just reading on Discogs that this band reformed in 2019 to work on some new material but this at the moment was their second and final album from 1990. A six piece out of Norway the only lineup change from the debut released a year earlier is the vocalist. The new singer would become a well known Comedian and TV personality in Norway. I am so into their lyrics which are Christian based, in fact in the liner notes the band emphasizes that they are not "moralizing" with the lyrics but that the lyrics are personal and meant for themselves. I'm blown away by the cover art. Prophetic? The lady has become a harlot and judgment is coming. But on a brighter note we get six tracks worth about 50 minutes. Recorded in Oslo in July and August of 1990 the theme according to the liner notes is frustration, longing and salvation, that process.

Top three would include the opener "Pictures Of The Ages" which is quite spacey to begin with but slowly builds including some beautiful sounding guitar. Vocals after 2 1/2 minutes which are reserved before the drums and organ kick in with a powerful sound. Vocals come and go and themes are repeated. How about "Hazy & Puzzling" an uplifting track with picked guitar, vocals, bass and drums. Nice guitar solo after 3 minutes and I like that calm with bass only after 4 minutes. "Valley Of Decision II & III" ends the album and "Valley Of Decision" is another name for the Plains of Medigo where Armageddon will take place. The same place Napoleon and his armies camped at. A perfect huge plain for armies to gather and they will. Fast paced piano but relaxed guitar to start which sounds pretty cool. It then turns surprisingly powerful. A calm with organ at 1 1/2 minutes as reserved vocals arrive. Vocals will come and go. Floating organ as well here and what sounds like mellotron but probably spacey synths. This is beautiful and majestic regardless. A special album. And no this isn't Neo Prog.