THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

This album has been with me for such a long time ago and sometimes I spun it - not until the end of the last track and I changed it with other album. I tried to write many times and failed to do so and only today I had a chance to spin the whole album until it ends. My initial comment is: too flat to my ears - there is no ups and downs that stimulate the adrenalin to explode. There is basically no memorable segment at all. There is nothing spectacular actually but the music is just OK, not special.

As this is a concept album with many narratives at the beginning of every single track, it of course reminds me to Rick Wakeman's Journey to the Center of The Earth. The fundamental difference is of course on the use of orchestra as Rick really used it "live". This album of Nolan & Wakeman is merely keyboard-drenched composition from start to end. I actually enjoy the opening track "overture" that sets the overall tone of the album. But then the following tracks do not stem from what that has been laid out nicely in the overture part as the music flows in flat nuances. It's a pity that there is too much keyboard on the first half of the album and the only stunning guitar solo only happens when it reaches track 6 "Run for Your Life" with female vocal.

On the line-up actually there are big names like Arjen Lucassen of Ayreon, Karl Groom of Threshold, Peter Banks (veteran of Yes), John Jowitt (IQ / Jadis) a well as Tony Fernandez who helped Rick Wakeman albums. Unfortunately the great line-up does not help a lot if the album suffers its fundamental composition issue.

Overall, this is just a mundane album with many keyboard sounds. Those of you who like keyboard sounds would enjoy it. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW