ATLANTIS

''Song of the marching children'' sold very well and so did its promoting singles, Earth & Fire had to do nothing else than keeping the stride of progressive grandieur within their music.Their next album ''Atlantis'' was recorded at the Phonogram Studios in Hilversum and presented a concept work about the rise and fall of a lost civilization called Atlantis.Polydor had no intention to leave the band move away after the good selling numbers and the album was released in March 1973 again by the specific label.

Not only did they kept their excellent symphonic style of their sophomore effort, but Earth & Fire decided also to exhibit the same structure considering the pieces on the album, so ''Atlantis'' opens with the eponymous sidelong track, which sounds a tad less dramatic than ''Song for the marching children'', but its equally good in terms of musicianship.First and foremost Gerard Koerts' powerful KING CRIMSON-ian Mellotron strings are on full display and Chris Koerts's slightly raw yet melodic guitar solos carry the symphonic vibe all the way in a track, that also contains lots of light organ themes, certain Classical influences and Jerney Kaagman's unique vocals.16 minutes of intense Progressive Rock, great composition in the tradition of Classical Music, featuring thematic changes and variations and a nice atmospheric depth.The rest of the way is a bit more conventional with slight Psych-Pop elements sneaking in between the orchestral moments.The keyboard work now sounds somewhere along the lines of THE MOODY BLUES and EKSEPTION, featuring plenty of Classical-spiced organs and more dramatic Mellotron parts, like on the great ''Fanfare'', the element that was rather discreet in the sidelong piece.At this point they also remind me of FOCUS, the two bands shared the same taste for ethereal Symphonic Rock and grandiose keyboard orchestrations with electroacoustic changes and instrumental pomposity.

Beautiful work.I can't really say its on par with the previous album, ''Song of the marching children'' sounds more of a complete work, but ''Atlantis'' is also a strong and melodramatic Progressive Rock effort.Especially if this one pops out as your first experience of Earth & Fire's music, you'll love it.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.