AFTER THE BATTLE

Plackband has had a strange journey since their debut. It must be one of the first neo-prog band in the world I guess, since they started in the mid seventies to play their music but never released any album in their early days.

But to read that this album is considered as a masterpiece by several reviewers is rather unexpected for me. First of all, this album contains three songs of a previous compilation "The Lost Tapes". So, we get half of lost "Lost Tapes" again served on this release. I wonder whatever masterpiece resulted of such a treatment!!

The intro of "After The Battle" is based on "The Apocalypse" part of "Supper's Ready", sounding as if Banks would sit on the background and play with the band with some harder attack solo (like in "Slippermen" or "In The Cage"). As soon as the vocals enter the scene (around the third minute), the listener starts a YesJourney but with very much less feeling. This song is drawn from the roots of these two bands but it really falls short. Only a long and not very inspired song.

During "See The Dwarf", we are transported from the "Wind & Wuthering" sessions to the genuine "Marillion" work. So typical Rothery guitar sounds.This song is also a disappointment since it quickly turns out to be pop oriented. I admit that there will be some good keyboard parts, but nothing from the outer space.

"End Of The Line" is the first of the three songs already released. Take the beat of "Squonk" and the closing of "Entangled" which is included during the middle part and you'll get the picture. Not bad but not original for a ? cent.

The very short instrumental brings us into "Stagnation" ("Trespass") for almost a minute. Very pleasant but short and not personal.

This album is a deception for me. I have seen the band live recently (October 2007) as opening act for "The Musical Box" in Amsterdam. Their short set (half an hour) was pleasant and I was looking forward to discover more music from the band but when you listen to "Ghost" which is the weakest song here, you can just press next.

Would you like some "Cinema Show" sounds ? Just listen to "The Hunchback" (the second song already featured on "Lost Tapes". I guess that by now, they found them back.).

Let's face the truth : this is not a great (even not a good) album. The best song out of it is "Sign Of The Knife". Can you believe that it doesn't as "The Knife ? It was already my favourite number on "Lost Tapes". Forget about the bonus tracks and there is only one rating I can think of. Two stars.

I must have listened to a different album than most of the reviewers here. But I don't think so.