LOST IN TIME

Another album that took me a long, long time to write a review. I guess most people here has faced such situation: you like the album, know it´s good, but still it fails to excite you as much as the band´s previous works. Which is to me very unfair. When I put this CD on it still amazes me how Flamborough Head keeps producing strong, consistent albums through the years in a time most prog bands seem to be in a identity crisis and/or lack of inspiration.

There´s a new guitarrist on board this time by the name of Gert Polkerman, it seems that former axeman Eddie Moulder decided to concentrated his talents on his other projects Trion (alongside with FH´s Edo Spaninga) and Leap Day (where, in both, he works with members of Flamborough Head). However, the guitar style hasn´t changed much. Polkerman has a similar way of playing, although I think he is a little subdue here compared to the more exuberant sound of Moulder. maybe it´s because he still feeling his way into the the group´s sound.

As usual the songwriting is very solid and varied, with the band´s tunes heading toward a even more symphonic and dense territory than on the previous CDs. There are long instrumental breaks between the vocals with keyboards, guitar and flute solos being as tasteful as they can be. The rhythm section of Marcel Derix and Koen Roozen is tight and versatile. Derix is specially good on showing off great bass lines. Spaninga´s vintage sounding keys are one of the group´s trademark sound and he again demonstrates how to combine the old and the new into a very powerful and personal signature, full of great melodies.

The track list is very consistent throughout the CD: as usual the songwriting is one of their best features, with only very good to excellent songs, depending on your personal tastes. To me, only the last two tracks are not as brilliant as the others, and still I enjoy them very much.

Overall I found Lost In Time in league with most of their albums. It may not be my favorite, but I have to admire the fact that it´s different again: they´re taking risks and facing the challenge of not copying their winning formula. I may miss their more neo prog approach of early, but there´s little doubt they are evolving into a more sophisticated and symphonic sound with each release. And that´s something remarkable, especially nowadays.

Rating: 4 strong stars.