STALAGMITE STEEPLE

1. "Dark Morality" (7:19) the excellent PETER NICHOLLS-like singing of Robin Peachey is enveloped by the warm sounds of plodding drums, a spaced-out descending guitar-and-keyboard six-chord progression, and chugging single-note bass lines. Unfortunately, the song doesn't develop quite as dynamically or with quite the sophistication of the STEVEN WILSON sound they seem to be emulating. (13.25/15)

2. "The Final Time" (5:00) a beautiful IQ or THE PINEAPPLE THIEF-like song just sounds a little too much like all of the atmospheric IQ-like NeoProg bands that have appeared over the last 25 years. (8.875/10)

3. "Stalagmite Steeple" (9:58) gentle, atmospheric Satie-like arpeggiated piano chords cycled over and over open this song before a TIM BOWNESS-like vocal joins in singing a TIM BOWNESS-like lyric in a TIM BOWNESS or STEVEN WILSON-like style. The lyrics are almost embarrassingly recycled (from both Bowness and David Sylvian). At 2:25 heavy rock guitar chords jump in, amping up the volume--to which singer Robin Peachy rises in commensurate power and volume. A very pleasant if-familiar Dave Gilmour/BJØRN RIIS-like lead guitar solo ensues before the music backs down into a gentle, spacious, pensive motif somewhat like that of the opening (only the piano sound and order of the arpeggi has changed). Nice violin synth accompanies Robin's plaintive vocal in this section. The crystalline lead guitar returns at 6:48 with rich synth string support until 7:30 when drums, bass and guitar power notes ensue. Here Robin tries singing but is practically buried in the mix. Then we close out with some more beautiful yet emotional guitar soloing before the palette starts to break down, one instrument at a time. Actually quite well done--quite rich and engaging. I give it high marks despite its derivative constitution. (18/20)

4. "Meaningless to Worth" (6:09) too much like PETER NICHOLS and IQ. (8.6667/10)

5. "Die for Me" (9:09) though gentle, spacious, and fairly simple, the sound here is quite rich and the composition quite well-developed and successful in generating interest and intrigue--at least until the final motif--which is played out over three minutes from 6:04 to 8:24. (18/20)

6. "The Raging Sea" (5:36) what's with all the TOM PETTY-like sound palettes infiltrating Prog World this year? Add some NeoProg synths and slow plodding rhythmic pacing and you have another Tim Bowness/NO-MAN-like piece. A pretty song with nice sound but I don't really hear anything new here (unless you can hear and relate to the lyrics--a gift I apologetically lack). (8.875/10)

Total Time 43:11

Gorgeous NeoProg soundscapes with the awesome singing of Robin Peachey sound too much like IQ and Peter Nicholls or even Bruce Soord/The Pineapple Thief.

B+/4.5 stars; an excellent collection of beautiful, atmospheric NeoProg songs for lovers of anything Peter Nicholls, Bruce Soord, or Tim Bowness have touched.

Share this RETURNED TO THE EARTH review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to BrufordFreak
• Report this review (#3104987)
• Buy RETURNED TO THE EARTH music online with PA partners
• Show all RETURNED TO THE EARTH MP3/Stream
• Go to RETURNED TO THE EARTH page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Stalagmite Steeple page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for RETURNED TO THE EARTH related discussions