BACK IN LINE

While "Back in Line" seems overly optimistic for what is actually going on here, I suppose that, relative to the monumental misstep of "Sails of Silver", a bounce back was inevitable. It's just a shame that the only orb available was an underinflated balloon.

Once again the band is determined to write and perform its own material and, once again, it will never be mistaken for anything by Trad Arr, but at least here the emphasis is on the darker more brooding mood for which the group is better known rather than upbeat middle of the road rockers. "Edward" establishes this shift at the outset, and "Take my Heart" and "White Man" are even better, with Peter Knight the fresh choice for lead vocalist on the latter. He also contributes fiddle solos here and there that raise the bar on some ordinary numbers like "Isabel" and "Cannon by Telemann".

A dreary mood is all well and good I suppose, but it becomes oppressive on the otherwise promising "Lanercost" and "Scarecrow", with its 1980s oriented robotic percussion. A few of the other tracks are all too reminiscent of the prior effort, particularly "Lady Diamond" and "Peace on the Border". A sad truth is that the live version of the oft covered historical tune "Blackleg Miner" makes even the high points here seem dispirited by comparison.

For Steeleye to actually fall back in line would have to wait until the excellent "Tempted and Tried" 3 years later, but here at least the group has inserted itself a ways back in the queue. Just under 2.5 stars.