FOR YOU THE OLD WOMEN

3.5 stars, really. My friend Carlos Vaz Ferreira, from the Progressive Rock and Progressive Metal E-Zine, is always posting rare, interesting stuff at the Mundo Progressivo Brasil, our Facebook page, and this obscure american band was one of them. For You The Old Women is their sole release, I guess an independent one, in 1976. It did not sell and Mirthrandir disbanded soon after. Later on, in 1992, the american label Syn-phonic re-issued it on CD. That´s the copy I got. And their sound is quite interesting indeed. Although it promises more than they actually delivered, I´m sure a lot of classic prog 70´s fanatic will like it. It has all the right influences, the performances are great and the recording sound of my CD is excellent.

However, it is also easy to tell why it did not made it. First of all, they were americans, and their sound is definitely too european. Second, although they had skillful musicians, their sound was terribly derivative too. Their love for bands like Yes, Gentle Giant (their biggest influences), Genesis and Jethro Tull is very clear. Unfortunately they were not mature enough songwriters themselves at the time they recorded their sole album. I mean, the tracks are all quite good, but they did not have a personality of their own. And when the vocalist tried those high pitched vocals a la Jon Anderson, my God!, are they annoying! The band also had two guitarists, but they might as well had just one, for they were not a real guitar based outfit, the star here is keyboardist Simon Gannett, who really knows how to deliver a lush symphonic landscape with his vast array of vintage instruments. To add some little Gentle Giant like bits singer John Vislocky III plays some trumpet. To give some early Genesis flavors to the mix, bassist James Miller proves he is a good flutist.

In the end I found this CD to be quite pleasant. If Mirthrandir was a british band they probably would have been in a more prog friendly environment. And maybe they would have the chance to produce a follow up. The music in general is good and with time and experience I´m quite sure they would find their own sound and personality. At the time they might have appeared to be another Yes/Gentle Giant wannabes. Nowadays this CD, with their (and ours) idols long gone (or far from their prime), is far more charming than it sounded in 1976. After all is good old symphonic prog. Not very original, ok, but honest and pleasant anyway. With all its faults, For You The Old Women, should be heard by any 70´s prog lover. Not essential, but it´s well played symphonic prog. And I like it.