UNSPOKEN WHISPER

Well, I purchased this CD long time ago during those days that I started purchasing prog CDs because I though prog music was dead after Fish left Marillion. So, in 1998 I was introduced to the gentleman who run Cyclops label, Malcolm Parker. And during the year of 1998 to 2000 (I think) I bought some titles from his shop on the net. I was introduced to new bands that I never heard before like Sinkadus, Grey Lady Down, Mastermind, Landmarq, Land's End, Flamborough Head, etc. I was not that impressed with Flamborough Head because the music was too mellow for my ears. I knew that Flamborough Head was in the vein of noe progressive like Marillion, Pallas, IQ, Pendragon, etc. But, from the first spin I got, there was no such thing as the song with sufficient energy and drive that stimulated my emotion. So, I did not play this CD quite often and in fact I almost forget that I have this album in my collection. Last week, I started to spin again this CD.

If I look at the CD artwork and sleeve, it seems clear to me that this album was destined to be dark by the band. Due to the nature of the music which tends to be mellow and catchy, I consider this music is good to have a peace of mind condition for you regardless the main intent of this album for being dark. I can see in fact from the simple artwork that the cover has - a middle age lady in vintage fashion - and the sleeve which creates a dark nuance. The great thing is that the band member photographs were taken when they were child - around 3 to 5 years old, I think.

The music flows nicely in a very slow tempo. Hmmm .. I don't know how challenging the job of drummer and bass guitar for music as mellow as this one? If I am a drummer playing this music, I will be death definitely man .. no challenge at all! I remember how frustrated Mike Portnoy saying in his interview in "Dark Side of The Moon" DVD expressing how boring he was doing a drumwork for "Us and Them". Sorry to say, the songs like Flamborough Head do not give a challenge for drummer and bass guitar - it's too slow man.

What is so interesting about the music is the guitar solo, catchy melody, and keyboard solo. The rest is not something very challenging we need to explore. To make things into perpective, take your IQ "Ever" CD and spin the opening track "The Darkest Hour" where you can find excellent challenge for Paul Cook to perform his drumming. Or you may find Marillion's "He Knows You Know" there is obviously dynamic drumming. But with this album of Flamborough Head, you can hear that the drumming (and bass guitar) is so flat.

Almost all songs contained here in this album are good to enjoy. You can have good guitar work through "Schoolyard Fantasy" (8:07), "Wolves At War" (4:53) and a bit of ballad style with "Childscream" (7:19). "Unspoken Whisper" (10:23) starts wonderfully with catchy piano work and nice melody. Again, you can hear excellent guitar solo as the music unfolds. "Xymphonia" (10:06) has a significant influence of classical music. "Heroes" (7:53) concludes the album with symphonic style.

Overall, this is a collection of keyboard-based songs with stunning guitar solo. It depends of your expectation. If you expect something energetic, I don't think you can get it from here. But if you like Floydian guitar style - you might enjoy this album .. with peace of mind. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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