THE WEDGE

When it was first released in 1986, this album received little attention to my ears as I was at the time fully loaded with Marillion early albums and EP from "Market Square Heroes" until "Misplaced Childhood". I only played the cassette version of "The Wedge" occasionally because I considered Marillion was the only excellent prog band in the mid eighties. Of course, I also knew IQ "The Wake" but again, Marillion was my main menu of daily music life. Whenever I played this cassette usually I took mostly track 9 "Sanctuary" that pleased my neo prog ears at the time. Alan Reed was the new lead singer replacing Euan Lowson.

"Dance Through The Fire" (4:46) opens the album through percussive work combined with keyboard punch in fast tempo music. It's a rocking track that is suitable to open the show, actually. It has also tempo change into slower one when guitar solo enters in the middle. The music reminds me to the work of Steve Hackett solo album. " Throwing Stones At The Wind" (5:15) still continues with rock music spirit with excellent guitar riffs combined with drumming. The music is energetic and simple to follow. "Pull the string, make him sing, He'll do anything that you want him to, They tell him he's free, Between you and me, He's throwing stones at the wind" is lyrical part that is very usual to emulate. Beautifully composed song. "Win Or Lose" (4:32) is a slow track with keyboard-based structure that reminds me to the music of Saga. It's a nice music.

"The Executioner" (5:36) caught into my specific attention after I watched the live version through "The Blinding Darkness" DVD set. It's another rocking track with neat arrangement especially the combination between keyboard, bass guitar and vocal during opening part. The song has a very strong symphonic nuance. "Imagination" (4:35) might confuse you with Saga because the music is in the same style. You must try it; especially for those of you who are familiar with Canadian Saga. "Rat Racing" (8:09) is an interesting track with symphonic style, many tempo changes, great keyboard work. When guitar solo enters the music it really represents the neo progressiveness of this album. Excellent song. "Just A Memory" (5:29) is an enjoyable track using music loop / programming reminiscent of Genesis "Tonight, Tonight". I really enjoy this track as the melody and the composition are really good.

"Stranger" (3:50) is for me a mediocre track and still reminds me to Saga. But "Sanctuary" (9:34) is really an excellent composition. It starts with beautiful combination of keyboard, guitar, Taurus bass pedal and vocal. The acoustic guitar work is in Eastern tuning and characterizes the melody in the same style. The howling guitar at the back reminds me to Steve Hackett. When percussive enters the music it even makes the song sounds better. The music increases into faster tempo with percussive as driver of musical nuance. Really great! The best track of this album! "Nightmare" (4:24) is another excellent track that combines great guitar solo, keyboard and bass to make this track a cohesive one. It concludes the album.

Overall, this album is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours, GW

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