NARCISSUS GOES TO THE MOON

Visible Wind has not released a new studio album since 2001, but, with 5 releases to their name, they certainly qualify as a prolific prog band in an age where plying the style is more hobby than vocation. While "Narcissus" has been touted as their best, I don't think they had quite found their own style by this point - that would come with the subsequent release.

The highlights are the meaty middle tracks "Intravenus" and "Lunar Doubts". Both feature imaginative structures and a variety of melodies and moods, with strong vocals and instrumentation, and the sometimes cheesy keyboards in prominence elsewhere being kept in check. This is both accessible and adventurous. But the album is nearly 20 minutes old by the time these offerings are served, and, other than a few moments, chiefly in "Fuzzy Concept", they pass by almost without incident. Later on Visible Wind again reverts to shorter less interesting songs like "Race on a Pseudo Flying Carpet", for goodness sake, and the plodding "Nothing Left to Hide". This leaves the success or failure of the album in the hands of the 21 minute long "The Awakening". Unfortunately, it is a bit too uneven to qualify as a piece de resistance, and the imitations of the less savory aspects of Pink Floyd, combined with distorted vocals, destroy some of the built up goodwill, even if some interesting segments do prevail, including glowing Hammond.

Certainly Visible Wind possesses a lot of skill and a good melodic instinct, but this time out was a bit thin and unfocused, and, while it cannot be accused of loving itself too much, it is diminished by too much editorial license, or perhaps not enough. 2.5 stars rounded down.