RHAPSODY

With "Rhapsody", PELL MELL continued to pay homage to the classics, and followed the trend established by "From the New World" in which simple homage to composers turned into all out rocking affairs with plenty of jamming. Here there is a marked improvement in the sense that the group has smoothed out some of the painful edges from that predecessor. It is true that they lose direction and banish good taste when dealing with something that is already tacky like "Can Can", or original material like "Paris the Past", but "Frost of an Alien" and "Wanderer" are triumphs by any yardstick. Those who enjoy some of the more classically oriented British artists like Emerson, Wakeman, and John Tout-era Renaissance will be tickled by "Prelude". "Desert in Your Mind" hints at the ever lighter aspects that will be fully embraced on "Only a Star", and is highlighted by superb bass, melodic lead guitars and soaring harmonies along with a healthy dollop of strings. "The Riot" shows that their propensity to borrow from the likes of Rachmaninoff, Schmitt and Liszt is not a cover up for lack of songwriting inspiration. Another highly recommended effort by this relatively prolific symphonic outfit.