THE WEDGE

Pallas

Neo-Prog

3.03 | 145 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Market Square heroes with mullets?

"The Wedge" finds Pallas treading water a bit, fortunately only temporarily. Vocalist Euan Lowson has been replaced by Alan Reed, who sounds uncannily like Lowson, in much the same way as Phil Collins did when he took over from Peter Gabriel.

The opening track, "Dance through the fire", has more than a hint of Fish era Marillion, and in particular "Market Square Heroes". Only by the time we reach the third track, "Win or Lose" do the band find their step. It's little more than a simple ballad, but it is filled with emotion, allowing Reed to demonstrate his vocal ability. "The Executioner" tries to be prog, fitting several time changes and ELP type instrumental breaks into its 5 minutes, but the song itself is not strong enough.

"Imagination" is an out and out AOR track, Journey or Styx (or even perhaps Howard Jones!) would have been proud of this, mullets ahoy. The track is almost saved by an all to brief Wakeman like synth solo. "Rat racing" finally finds the band in full prog mode. It features some inspired guitar work, lovely keyboards, and great vocals. The final track on the original album, "Just a memory" is also a fine melodic piece, more of the same and the album could have been so much better.

The final three tracks on the CD were originally released on the "Knightmoves" EP. "Stranger", is more of a basic AOR pop rock track, a bit of early Asia included perhaps. "Sanctuary" once again has some good guitar work, and is actually too fine a track to have been hidden away for so long on an EP. "Nightmare" too is excellent, with a Keith Emerson style screaming synthesiser to round things off.

In all, a good album, enhanced by the inclusion of the "Knightmoves" EP tracks. "The Sentinel" was however better, as were the albums which were to come. (The CD also features an added CD-Rom section.)

Easy Livin | 3/5 | 2004-8-29

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