AN OLDER LAND

"Lands End" is a band that should please any space and ambient music fan. At least it did work as such for me on their first two albums. But this one will not be as good. Even if the opening and tranquil "Ashes" is very pleasant and could have announced a great album.

Actually, the first part of this album is not bad at all. Some good music as well during "Wind Across the Water" but don't expect too much of it either.

Only one excellent song : "Wake to Find Me Dead" and its incredible and hypnotic melody. It is one of my fave from the band. A highlight of course. But the best is bordering the worse. In this aspect, "Jazz Magic Potion" offers nothing magic, believe me. The worst "Lands End" song so far. No doubt while thinking of pressing next: just do it!

During "K", I have the impression that vocals are a bit forced to appear as tortured. But there no real need for this since their music is mostly atmospheric. Anyway, it is a pleasant track. Instrumental parts are very much enjoyable.

I have always like their extended and epic tracks like "Conspicuously Empty", "At Lands End" and "The Last Word" from their debut album (which is my favourite one so far). So, I was exited when came the time of "Dross". Over twenty-five minutes of music. But not great music unfortunately. Some pseudo-brass are not very welcome to my ears. This song is also too monotonous (even if "Lands End" music might appear so in a more general scope).

After this long and weak opening part (eight minutes or thereabout), the mood will turn more into a traditional "Lands End" piece of work but the guitar sounds rather strange. The song is really in the smooth territory while the vocals enter the scene. At least some depth and emotion.

"Dross" reminds me "Neptune's Last Tear" from their previous work in the way that it sounds more as a collection of songs than a true epic. There are no binding elements nor smooth links between the different parts of which most are just average. This song should have been cut down to a mere ten minutes IMHHO.

The closing number "The Last World" starts as a very good "Lands End" piece of music. The great and "oceanic" mood intro is a superb moment of this album. It is unfortunately followed by some improvisation and noisy minutes which are kind of useless.

The guitar solo even if acceptable has the same annoying sound as during "Dross". I really don't know what happened on this album as far as this problem is concerned. After a minute blank, the finale is nothing more than a noisy drum kit exercise. Can't call this a drum solo since there is some background music there. But the drums really sounds as a "bruit de casserole". Sorry, I can't translate this but it globally means that it is very poor.

As all "Lands End" offering, this album is VERY long. Almost seventy-five minutes. Waaaaaaaaaaay too long of course. Some hard work to listen to this album in one straight session.

Four, three, two. These are my ratings for the first three "Lands End" albums. I hope that the descent will stop with their next album.

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