NOVUM

Ok, not all the over 70 vocalists have the same extension they had when they were young. Brooker is not an exception, his voice is still recognisable and fits perfectly but nobody can expect high notes like on A Salty Dog to say one title.

Also, the songs are quite dated. It's like a fantastic album has been recorded and put into a time machine just to appear 50 years later then its time.

You know what? I LIKE IT!

It's an excellent album. The sound quality is at today's level and doesn't sound too "vintage". Of course the songwriting is not evolved, but whoever likes the classic Procol Harum will not be disappointed by this "Novum" album. There's plenty of melodies, very British I'd say, with songs like "Can't Say That" which seems to come from the Blues revival years.

In the end it's like it was a lost album and I think that Procol Harum have done the best possible thing: instead of trying to be "actual" and renewing their songwriting they have done exactly what a fan wants: be themselves, even if it's everything but a reunion of the original members. Only Brooker is survived from the first album's lineup 51 years ago.

But this is a proper Procol Harum album. Fit for purpose. You won't find a new Whiter Shade Of Pale inside, but the whole album is very consistent. Not many peaks but absoutely no lowlights. In my opinion it deserves not less than 4 PA stars.