CONFLICT AND DREAMS

Just as their debut album, this one is only interesting while the band performs their derivative ELP sounding music. As such, "Corridors" is by far my favourite. The addition of fine guitar work only adds to the feel. Unfortunately, there aren't many of this kind on this album.

The long "Western Desert" is another of the same vein: a fantastic introduction with a dramatic wild guitar and an orgy of keyboards. The beat is quite sustained during this wonderful intro. The cake is unfortunately falling down as soon as the vocals enter the scene (somewhat before the four minutes barrier).

Fortunately, these vocals don't last for long, and the instrumental maestria is shining brightly again after this useless interlude. Of course, don't expect any novelty since these moments are totally borrowed to ELP but still: it remains another very good moment of this album.

Surprisingly enough, during "Then You Were Gone", vocals are pretty good: high pitched and convincing. Actually, it is probably the best part of this song which, again, severely leans towards the glorious band of the seventies which I have named already quite a few times.

Another long song is following: "Valley Of The Shadow": it holds all the excesses that could lead to a love/hate affair in the ELP repertoire. This one is no other and exploits every facet of their prestigious predecessors. A bit too much if you want to know my opinion. Too much is too much, right?

Any way, this is a good album. Full of nostalgia for old freaks who are willing to listen to some ELP derivative extravaganza. Three stars.