TALL TALES

Start with a sound foundation of Gabriel-era Genesis, substitute the vocals with Triumph's Rik Emmett (with little or no vocal harmonies by the way), sprinkle in some Kansas-like guitar riffing, add some Jethro Tull flute, and finish it all with a much crisper modern sounding production, and you have the basic feel of Crucible's hard-to-find "Tall Tales". But more than merely "derivative" of early prog, this album succeeds by throwing in a lot of different atmospheres and instrumental changes from song to song, along with the usual time signature changes and complex arrangements we've come to expect from classic prog. Occasional comparisons to Rush also emerge with the Emmett-like vocalist singing lyrics in the storytelling tradition of Rush's "Trees"; but I did not find the lyrics as interesting or magical as the classic standby stuff (sometimes dealing with modern day things like...mortgages and deli meat?!). Great drumming on the album though, and you'll find yourself humming along on some of the better refrains after just a few listens. I wish they hadn't made such blatant rip-offs of various sections of Genesis' "Supper's Ready" during their own 20-minute epic "An Imp's Tale"; but overall, this is an enjoyable album on which most traditional prog fans should find many moments of real enjoyment.