ARGUS

"Argus" is one of those warm '70s albums that made my old friend Pete close his eyes as he recalled listening over beers. It most certainly qualifies with its classic layered electric guitar leads that extend into expanded instrumental passages. Inviting, organic, and relaxing rock with occasionally fiery lead passages. It's a very enjoyable spin for me on occasion although I find it completely ridiculous to sell this album as some kind of progressive masterpiece as is done quite often. I believe our site properly locates WA in prog-related. Musically it reminds me of another prog-related band yet to make our site, the Dead, and in particular their early 70s era when great tracks like "Weather Report Suite" and "Black-throated Wind" were commonplace. Melodic and often beautiful music such as "Sometime World" and "Throw Down the Sword" cannot be denied. Still, while very pretty in places the extended guitar solos are far less interesting and dynamic to me than the Dead or the Allmans, I just don't see them having the instrumental prowess of the best lead players. That's a problem when one of your big selling points is the supposed amazing dual leads---simply extending the length and building to harmonized hammer-ons comes off as little more than a fancied-up Molly Hatchet. I can't be the only one glazing over with boredom during parts of this album. The structural playing and vocals are pretty good though, nice harmonies. The songs are average and occasionally border on parody (Warrior) rather than being convincing "prog-rock" fantasy. With apologies to this band's many fans I think our RussellK nails this album with his assessment. I'll give an extra star for the big vision and the beauty of some passages but find little actual evidence to support the legendary status this album has received.

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