THIRD CALL

Their debut album was not the greatest prog album of the decade but. I rounded my rating up to three stars for being myself half-Mexican and feeling pretty close to this country and its people (FYI my wife is Mexican).

The opening number of their third album "Where the Wind" brings some hopes that this album will be better. Very soft atmosphere during the major part of the song. Very nice keys and vocals. This number sounds very much like Genesis ("Selling" era). The next song is a tasteless track. "Sleeping Fortress" is structureless, melody-less, anything- less actually.

"Time In Space" sounds truely neo-prog. It even shows some influence on the work of a band as Arena. Heavy at times yet melodious. The intro is full of harmony and when the vocals make their entry, it is all sweetness. Very accessible. In general, Cast will generate rather complex numbers. The off-beat instrumental section is quite remarkable. A highlight.

"Door Of The World" is the longest track of this album (just over fifteen minutes). It will be the occasion for Cast to display their admiration to both Genesis and ELP. They do it with some brilliant musicianship, but they lack in passion and enthusiasm. For some parts of it, "Tarkus" is no doubt the central piece of inspiration. It finally evolves into a more personal (at last) style. Rather convincing to be honest. This is probably the best song featured on this work.

"Static Dreams" sounds very poppish, which is rather scarce to be mentioned. Very nice melodies and flute playing (yes, I LOVE flute). This is one very pleasant moment of the album. Completely unforseen and therefore interesting. Give us more songs like this, Cast ! Its struture is not complex as most of their compositions. This surprising break sounds as a nice breeze of fresh air. My fave here.

Cast produces again a very nice song with "I Am Waiting". Very Trespass-esque, hence tranquil. Genesis is also there with "Veto Ben". But it is more the Genesis from "Wind And Wuthering" or even "And Then We Were Three". Still, not too bad. It is the only short number of this effort.

For the very first itme, Cast will also propose inspired vocals in "House By The Forest". Dino Brassea sounding like Fish in the magnificent "Script". But there are poorer points of comparison, right ? Music, again very much Trespass oriented.

This album is very pleasant. Most of the composition are of decent lenght (almost over the seven minutes format). It is a lot catchier than their dull debut album. The music is not really speaking for itself at the first listening. You'll have to come back to it to appreciate better. Keep on with the good work Cast !

If you like bands like ELP and Genesis and are not too much concerned about a certain lack in originality, this album is for you. It is worth a spin. Seven out of ten. For the reasons I have mentioned in the begining of this review, I will upgrade it to four stars.