TALES OF ARDOUR & DECEIT

"Tales Of Ardour & Deceit" is the fourth full-length studio album by Danish progressive rock act Etcetera (...or ETC as it says on the cover of the album). The album was released through Record Heaven in 2003. It´s the successor to "Fin De Siecle" from 2001. Etcetera formed in 1986 as a high school band by main composer and multi-instrumentalist Frank Carvalho and drummer Johnnie McCoy. They recorded two independent albums in the late 90s before being signed for the release of "Fin De Siecle". Shortly after the release of "Tales Of Ardour & Deceit", McCoy left Etcetera, and Carvalho opted to split-up the band.

Stylistically the material on "Tales Of Ardour & Deceit" is influenced by the early seventies progressive rock scene and artists like Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, and Camel. Just listen to the melody line and the voice of guest vocalist Michael Munch on the opening 16:23 minutes long epic "The Song Of Marsh Stig". It could just as well have been Gordon Haskell (King Crimson) in disguise. This is however predominantly an instrumental album (with long atmospheric parts not completely unlike some of Camel´s output from the 70s) and only "The Song Of Marsh Stig" and the second track on the album titled "Songs" feature vocals. The music is generally pleasant and features some great melodic guitar playing and lots of vintage synth and organ playing. It´s quite dynamic with both loud epic moments and more subtle beautiful quiet moments.

Etcetera are a well playing unit, and especially Carvalho shines with his great guitar/keyboard playing. "Tales Of Ardour & Deceit" features a well sounding production job, which suits the material well, and upon conclusion it´s a good quality progressive rock album. You won´t find anything here you haven´t already heard on the 70s releases from the above mentioned artists, but there is still enough quality here to warrant a 3 star (60%) rating.

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