TALL TALES

I feel like I've been having a throw-back week listening to Prog-Metal(HEAVEN'S CRY) and Neo-Prog this past week although I see CRUCIBLE is listed under Symphonic now. The vocals are certainly the focus of this American band with fairy tale lyrics and a sound that instantly brings GENESIS to mind. I've really enjoyed this album. I have heard the over 21 minute suite "An Imp's Tale" before on the Prog Day '98 disc I have which of course is a live version.

"Over The Falls" opens with piano as the mellotron rolls in then relaxed guitar followed by drums before a minute. GENESIS certainly comes to mind with the pulsating keys which is such a feel good sound for me. Vocals after 2 1/2 minutes and I really like the sound a minute later with the organ, vocals and mellotron. Love this stuff. "The Poet Liar" is a top two track for me. It's the only track that brings JETHRO TULL to mind and no not because there's flute, it's on the heavier sections. I do like the contrasts between the heavier passages and the beautiful pastoral sections. There is some nice flute late. "Find The Line" features laid back drums, piano and vocals early on but it does get a little fuller. A nice intricate guitar solo ends it.

"Lords And Leeches" opens with vocals and a relaxed sound but how good is this when the mellotron arrives 2 1/2 minutes in. Pulsating organ follows. A synth solo 7 minutes in as the drums and bass help out. A guitar solo before 8 1/2 minutes followed by organ and vocals. "In Ancient Tongue" is an instrumental that opens with what sounds like mandolin but check out the mellotron before 1 1/2 minutes. Nice. "The Salamander" has a reggae vibe to it with vocals. That vibe stops after 1 1/2 minutes as the vocals become more passionate. Contrasts continue though. "Land For Sale" is my other top two track. I just really enjoy the emotion in this one. Piano and drums standout early with intricate guitar as reserved vocals join in. Emotion 2 minutes in with floating organ. Back to that vocals, drum, guitar section as themes are repeated. Great song!

"An Imp's tale" is divided into seven parts. It opens with "Twice Upon A Time" where we get a strong GENESIS vibe then the vocals join in. There's some beautiful acoustic guitar on the "Adrift" section as the vocals join in. Such a gorgeous sound 2 1/2 minutes in. "Stone Of The Wise" is more uptempo and powerful with vocals as the mellotron joins in. "The Mortal Flaw" has powerful organ that floats in as the vocals arrive. It changes quickly though as vocals continue followed by pulsating organ then a guitar solo. "Nomad Brad" features flute and acoustic guitar to start then the organ, drums and bass take over. The flute is back before this section ends. "Release The Imps" is more powerful with guitar and drums as the mellotron drifts in then vocals. Lots of synths follow after the vocals stop. "Day Of The Hunting Dwarf" ends the suite and the album in an uplifting manner. An emotional yell and guitar before 2 minutes before a calm ends it.

This has been a pleasure both musically and lyrically, a real escape.