WAR AND PEACE & OTHER SHORT STORIES

Sean Filkins is known to many for his vocals in the British band BIG BIG TRAIN. Well he left that particular band after taking part in "The Difference Machine" an album I really enjoy. Sean gets help here from Lee Abraham, Dave Meros, Gary Chandler, Karl Groom, John Mitchell and others. And like BIG BIG TRAIN the lyrics here are very strong and meaningful. In fact this album has the ability to really move me at times which is a real credit to Sean.

"Are You Sitting Comfortably ?" opens with someone searching for a radio station then pouring themselves a drink. I'm sure they're sitting comfortably now as the music kicks in on "The English Eccentric" perhaps my favourite track on here. Synths and a powerful sound lead early then it settles with vocals a minute in. It turns dreamy after 3 1/2 minutes and again before 5 minutes. It kicks back in again.

"Prisoner Of Conscience, Part 1 The Soldier" opens with rain, thunder, nature sounds and someone walking through the forest it would seem. Flute and atmosphere eventually take over. Percussion and sitar before 3 minutes as the tempo picks up. Strummed guitar after 4 minutes then vocals. It's much better when it becomes more powerful before 7 minutes. It's laid back again after 8 minutes but then turns heavy after 11 minutes.The guitar soars 14 minutes in then it settles back with almost spoken words.Great section here especially when the guitar comes in. Nice. It blends into "Prisoner Of Conscience, Part 2 The Ordinary Man". It settles with reserved vocals then it starts to pick up after 3 minutes. Some nice bass and mellotron-like sounds.Vocals are back.A calm 6 1/2 minutes in with reserved vocals and piano. It kicks in after 7 minutes with guitar and drums standing out.

"Epitaph For A Mariner" opens with organ as female vocals join in. Water sounds only take over after a minute then some atmosphere rolls in. Piano and intricate guitar follows. Some vocal melodies before we get a change after 5 minutes and the tempo picks up. Another change 9 1/2 minutes in as it turns mellow and reserved vocals join in. A fuller sound after 12 minutes. Nice. It stays this way until a calm arrives before 19 1/2 minutes to the end.

"Learn How To Learn" opens with piano as vocals join in. A guitar solo follows then it settles with vocals. It ends instrumentally.

Without question this is a special album and deserving of 4 stars. Like Conor mentions i'd have rather seen some of the fat trimmed but this is a really good album.