ARGUS

Lots of reviewers do believe that the inclusion of the band was granted by this work. I don't agree with this at all. As far as I am concerned, this is an excellent rock album. But to depict this as a progressive masterpiece, that's maybe a step too far?

The opening number is one of the highlight of this album; fair enough. The song builds crescendo and from an acoustic intro it leads to a frenzy and gorgeous piece of guitar maestria. But that is what the band has been used to play so far. So, there is little surprise as far as I am concerned.

The romantic and soft rock "Sometime World" is another pleasant song which features delicate acoustic guitar work in its initial phase and then develops towards a more rocking angle. It is needless to say that this is how I like the band the most.

An excellent bass play and sustained drumming are also demonstrating, if needed, that the band is not only a twin guitar one. The four gangsters are building the whole. The closing section (which is unfortunately faded out awkwardly) is just a wonderful guitar moment.

After a transparent "Blowing Free", the band swaps his usual song construction: "King Will Come" starts with a marvelous intro and becomes more conventional afterwards (average vocals and basic rock music). A deep CSN&Y is felt during this song: but it is not the first time that I made the comparison.

The remaining songs from this album are just mainstream rock. But tons of bands can fall under this category and most of them are not featured on PA, right?

What I mean is that there are a lot of great bands out here (like WA) who played excellent rock music. But not prog (related) music.

The original work closed on "Throw Down The Sword" and I would rate this work with three stars. It is a good rock album indeed. Several versions were released afterwards: one of which features some live tracks recorded in Memphis.

A giant version of "Phoenix" is one of them and thanks to this brilliant interpretation I will upgrade this album to four stars (but only if you can get the CD version with these live tracks). I have never listened to the 35 years anniversary version but it looks pretty attractive.

Share this WISHBONE ASH review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to ZowieZiggy
• Report this review (#338470)
• Buy WISHBONE ASH music online with PA partners
• Show all WISHBONE ASH MP3/Stream
• Go to WISHBONE ASH page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Argus page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for WISHBONE ASH related discussions