CURTAINS

Here's another album that's been a pleasant surprise for me. American band CRUCIBLE put out two albums in their career and this is the second one called "Curtains". Instrumentally we get a GENESIS flavour but with the vocalist sounding nothing like Gabriel or Collins I sure wouldn't call them a clone band. Some mellotron on 4 of the tracks as well.

"The Swordplayer" opens with piano before the bass and drums joins in as the organ and guitar come and go. Vocals after 3 minutes. Mellotron after 5 minutes. Nice guitar solo after 6 1/2 minutes with organ. "I'd Rather Walk" opens with drums and guitar before the vocals then organ and chunky bass join in. Another guitar solo in this one as well. "A Man Of Two Minds" has a beat with vocals. I like the instrumental section that ends before 3 minutes.

"Noble Rot" opens with piano and vocals. Organ and guitar follow. Lots of piano in the middle. Very GENESIS-like after 3 minutes. "Nucleur Apathy" is a CRACK IN THE SKY cover. Strummed guitar and reserved vocals early. It kicks in with organ and drums 2 minutes in. I like the intricate guitar before 4 1/2 minutes, it reminds me of KING CRIMSON's "Discipline". "World's Apart" is mellow with reserved vocals, light drums and piano before it gets fuller. Contrasts continue. "Curtains" is the closing 9 1/2 minute instrumental and it's a good one at that.

3.5 stars for this one.Their debut is even better.