CEREMONY OF INNOCENCE

WILL-O-THE-WISP is without question one of my favourite bands from Greece. I remember that debut which is still my favourite from them with that prominent organ, warm vocals and those melodic psychedelic tunes that just seemed to suit my tastes perfectly. This one is my second favourite with their final album rounding out my top three from them. They are a six piece at this point with the usual "rock" instruments plus that floating and sometimes powerful organ along with piano and flute.

"Smoke Suspended In Still Air" has this relaxed and trippy sound with prominent bass as laid back vocals join in. Organ to the fore as the tempo picks up a minute in. Nice guitar solo as well before 2 minutes as the vocals step aside. Vocals are back after 2 1/2 minutes. Love the passion in those vocals 4 minutes in. "The Rabbit Under The Teardrop's Shade(Of Alice)" opens with strummed guitar as vocals join in quickly. Soon drums, bass and organ kick in but then it's vocals and strummed guitar again as contrasts continue. Nice. It picks up in tempo at 2 1/2 minutes as the vocals stop and flute and organ lead the way to the end.

"Shadows Of Daylight" opens with some excellent psychedelic guitar that echoes as a driving rhythm kicks in with organ over top. Vocals before a minute as it settles some. Nice bass here, really good in fact. Love that guitar that arrives after 3 minutes as the vocals step aside. Just a killer instrumental to the end. "The Reaper's Paper Boat" is such a feel good track, so moving at times. It has that VIOLETO DE OUTONO "Volume 7" vibe for me with the organ, vocals and meaningful sound. Flute before 1 1/2 minutes. Gorgeous. A calm after 2 minutes with bass and organ as it builds. Vocals are back a minute later with that beautiful sound. Another calm with flute before 4 minutes to the end.

"Hew A Dream In The Twilight" opens with acoustic guitar and fragile vocals as keys also join in. Vocals will come and go. Kind of a whimsical beginning. That changes as we get some power in the instrumental section before 2 1/2 minutes as drums, bass and organ lead. Guitar 3 minutes in. So good! And this continues right to the end. "Haze Secrets" has this relaxed and trippy sound as reserved vocals join in. Piano, drums and bass standout. It kicks in with power before 1 1/2 minutes Contrasts continue then we get this guitar solo after 3 1/2 minutes. Vocals return after 4 minutes.

"A William Blake's Song" has relaxed piano as we get female vocals for the first time on this album. Some angular guitar as well. It picks up a minute in, nice sound here. It's fuller after 2 minutes with some vocal melodies as well. So good! Male vocals take over after 3 minutes. "Fairies Waltz" opens with guitar that builds then it starts to solo as other instruments join in. Flute replaces the guitar. Nice bass lines before 2 minutes then the guitar returns. Flute replaces the guitar again before 4 minutes. What a ride!

This is just one of those bands that is like comfort food for me I guess. This band from Athens has offered up another solid 4 star album.