BETWEEN THE LEAVES

I picked this up based on my great appreciation for the hard rocking Norwegian band HOST. After HOST's first album the drummer and guitarist left and eventually formed DEJA-VU which still rocks pretty hard but is more in the Symphonic realm than HOST. Interesting that both bands would release an album in 1976, the last for both although the only one for DEJA-VU as the record label didn't get behind this release, in fact after a small test pressing they dropped the band. The drummer here would later join KERRS PINK. My biggest issue by far with this album is the vocals, I can hardly stand them. They remind me of KANSAS so yeah the guy can sing I just don't like them at all, so sappy. And yes the record label made the right choice in my opinion. Oh, the vocals are in English by the way.

"Burning Bridges" has a powerful sound to start, really impressive. It turns spacey with those background synths, so good. Vocals before 6 minutes and while I'm not a fan of them this is my favourite track. Some nice laid back guitar before 8 minutes. "Between The Leaves" opens with clavinet but soon the drums, guitar and bass join in. So much going on. It settles and the vocals join in after a minute, not a fan at all. "Free Man" has such a great sound to it instrumentally especially the guitar and synths. Vocals just after a minute. Clavinet after 1 1/2 minutes and I love the dark sound but the vocals ruin it for me. A calm with floating synths after 3 minutes as the guitar soars in the background slowly. A great ending to this one as well.

"Flying" has a laid back sound with keys as reserved vocals join in. This is very ballad-like until it kicks in around 2 minutes but the contrasts will continue. An interesting instrumental break starts before 4 minutes. "Somebody Cares" has a cool intro and check out the clavinet and the AREA-like sounds after 2 minutes. It then picks up. The flavour changes 3 1/2 minutes in which sounds amazing but then the vocals join in and kind of soil the rest of the song for me. "Time" has a darker tone to it which I really like. Reserved vocals and keys as it settles around 2 minutes. Good song. "Visions Of Nirvana" is the 6 1/2 minute closer that opens with strummed guitar as laid back vocals join in. We get a pleasant instrumental break before the vocals return. It's okay.

If this were all instrumental it would be easily 4 stars but I just can't get past the vocals. I'm sure most won't have that same problem so keep this in mind.