INITIATION

To say that I was impressed by this work would be exaggerated. And I am still not. As usual, Todd is playing several musical styles which conveys to a strange feeling of total dislocation.

Some pop, some basic rock'n'roll, some soul (which is actually the best of side one with the long "Fair Winning"). But I've suffered quite a bunch while listening to the electronic "Born To Synthesize" as well as the jazzy "Eastern Intrigue".

I would lie if I would tell you that the long suite featured on the B-side of this album is by all means exciting. Quite weird, and actually much more a collection of several parts (which it is ) rather that a constructed and performing whole. The longest section "The Internal Fire" is the only one I can cope with. It is much more on the eclectic prog side and far away from his earlier pop and rock ballad works.

It is much more experimental and if you are looking for melody you should pass your way. At times it sounds as a "Santana" fusion item, at times as a glorious synth innovation. It is an extreme piece of music which needs several listening to be absorbed accordingly.

I rate this album with three stars only thanks to this almost twenty minutes portion (which is less than a third of the album). This release is quite difficult to approach (as would be some "Utopia" works).

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