CRIMINAL RECORD

For the most part, this album is no laughing matter. While not as well known as what I consider the big three of Wakeman's '70's albums (The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, The Myths and Legends of King Arthur), I certainly rank this up there with them. Some might actually find this one better. Well there is that joke song on here, The Breathalyser. Joke songs seem to be the bane of many a progressive music fan, but I like the comic relief. "They took me down to the station. But I refused to give a blood test, so they went and took the urine out of me."

Squire and White are on board for the first three tracks, Statue Of Justice, Crime Of Passion, and Chamber Of Horrors. Keyboard dominated tracks for sure but not too far removed from the Yes album that came out that year, Going For The One. Rick does some nice solo piano for Birdman Of Alcatraz, which opens the second side of the LP, followed by the silly song. Capping the album off is Judas Iscarot. Just Rick with his keyboards, a large choir, and a church organ, which I can only imagine, is one of those monstrous ones. The choir makes a more than adequate substitute for a mellotron, I tell you what. A nice long musically intense piece.

Not an easy album to get a hold of when I started looking for a CD. I had to go for Japanese import. There is currently a limited edition remaster out there.

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