RING OF HANDS

If Argent's debut was still very much of a Zombie thing (actually almost sounding a step backwards from Odessey And Oracle), this second album is still a transition album, although there are strong hints of their more progressive future featured in this one. While the bulk of the song are written by Rod Argent with his usual songwriting partner (lyrics) Chris White, lead guitarist and singer Russ Ballard with a few, although his contribution would generally be poppier and more commercial than Rod Argent.

The whole of the first side goes fairly uneventfully until the closing almost 8-min Lothlorian, where Argent clearly inspires himself from Bach themes in the organ intro then again with the piano in the middle section where Bach's Prelude is called upon. Overall an excellent track, but they only one really worth retaining from that side, even if its predecessor has its charms. The flipside is not really much better, still very much entrenched in 60's-type of songwriting, but you can feel that some parts are yelling out to be noticed. The middle lengthy solo section of Pleasure is a great moment, but unfortunately Argent is a bit alone in the solo dept, as Ballard failed to pick up on the solo to improve or even reply noteworthy. The other album highlight is the jazz-rock Sleep track where Brian Auger's style is not far even if the featured instrument is an electric piano (most likely a Rhodes Fender).

Outside of two tracks, the proghead better not be waiting too much from ROH, but I would certainly not call this album weak, nor essential for that matter. Only for fans , even if I rate it slightly better.

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