LETHE

LETHE were a five piece outfit from Holland and this is their sole album from 1981. Not exactly a time when Symphonic music was popular and the CAMEL comparisons are like comparing a black and white TV to a HD version today. There is no comparison in my opinion. Now having said that this is an album that gets some high ratings around the internet, I just don't feel it's more than a 3 star record. It's sort of a Symphonic/Jazz/Folk hybrid and it's all instrumental.

An interesting band in the sense that we get two keyboardists although the one is usually playing oboe, english horn or flute. We also get guitar, bass and drums and the drummer adds vibes, xylophone and strings. It's around 35 minutes long with four tracks. Personally this lacks the grit and passion along with those memorable melodies. I am okay not hearing this again.

The opening title track and the first few minutes of the second song are almost painful for me. Mostly piano and oboe and not much else. That might be english horn and piano to start song two but not a good way to start the album in my opinion. Some birds chirping late on the opener and I must admit that when it kicks into gear 3 minutes into track two it is quite the contrast. Strummed guitar gives way to organ as bass and piano help out. Some electric guitar after 5 1/2 minutes and at some point the drums join in. Then it's bass and drums only before it kicks back in.

Track three "Cold In Fingers" is somewhat jazzy and features flute and even a bass solo. I do like the electric piano too 5 minutes in. The closer "Le Tombeau II" has more of a Symphonic vibe and oboe late. We have some very capable musicians on here and I have no complaints other than I could take it or leave it. 3 stars in my world.