MIRACLE MIRROR

IMO, there is a major line-up change for this third ''Golden Earring'' album. Barry Hay is taking over the lead vocals and won't pass them to any other one so far. It is a major improvement for sure.

This album also sounds more achieved than their first two. The ''Beatles'' filiation is almost gone for now. The band sounds finally more personal (even if ''Circus.'' still sounds somewhat Beatles-ish).

It would of course being a nonsense to consider this album as groundbreaking for rock music, but again: you should consider the continental-European rock scene in those remote days to acknowledge that those Dutch guys were rather promising even if the worse is also present on this album ('' Crystal Heaven'').

Some songs are quite tranquil or childish (''Sam & Sue'', ''I've Just Lost Somebody''). It is a given that the best of ''Golden Earring'' has not yet arrived. But most of big names didn't mature in '68, right?

Some tracks do show some interesting angles like the Far-Eastern ''Mr. Fortune's Wife'' and the elaborate ''Who Cares''. More in . ''The Who'' style to be honest. But I wouldn't complain. Would you? Probably one of the best songs out of this album. Remember: 68 was the year of release!

This album is more elaborate, better constructed than their first two. Some fine fluting (''Born A Second Time'') could almost sound prog, but don't be too close looking to the genre we all love even if it might sound to the early Tull.

Don't get me wrong: this is not a great album. Not even a good one IMHHO. But it deserves a listen, no doubt. Let's not forget the start of Barry. ''The'' Golden Earring voice for the decades to come.

Two stars.