BOOK OF HOURS

As a second one goes, this is a beauty. The songwriting is more mature than on the debut self titled CD and there is more of an own personality even if the influences are just the same as before (mainly mid period Genesis, plus some Camel, Pink Floyd and Yes). Book of Hours is quite more adventurous too. Definitly Andrew Marsahll knows how to produce something fresh and exciting out of his pure dedication to the 70´s prog sound.

The music is totally instrumental and has many wonderful passages, with great Hackett-like guitars, lots of choir-mellotrons and other vintage keyboards, fine flute and even some recorders that sound like those of Gentle Giant here and there. His performances on all instruments also improved as he seems to be more confortable and familiar with the studio techniques. He is really an one man band! (bar the drummer, who is also good) I still think he could have a track or two with vocals (as long as he chose to have a singer as outstanding as he is in the instrumental field), but this CD is still excellent as it is.

If you like 70´s classic prog and is not very concerned about originality, you should not miss this one. Along with Trion and Odyssice, Willowglass is one of the most interesting instrumental prog acts of the new millenium. I really hope they keep pouring CDs like these. Book of Hours deserves a full four star rating.