CORVUS STONE

Like others have mentioned this is a difficult album to review. It's a sprawling 80 minute affair and as such it certainly has it's ups and downs. The only band member I am familiar with is Colin Tench the guitarist from BUN CHAKEZE, and this is for the most part an organ / guitar driven album. Great art work by the way including the pictures in the liner notes.

"The Curtain Rises" is a great song title for an opening number. It's a short instrumental with deep sounds along with synths and strummed guitar over top. "October Sad Song" reminds me of POPOL VUH for some reason until the guitar comes in soaring. I really like this track. Guitar and piano standout on this instrumental. Synths come and go as well. "Highway To Emptiness" is a bright and bouncy instrumental. The organ pulses as the drums and guitar help out. Not a big fan of this one. "Ice King" opens with atmosphere as reserved vocals join in along with spacey synths and more. It's okay. "I'll Leave It All Behind" is an uptempo instrumental as the organ and other sounds pulse away. Again an average piece in my opinion. "Corvus Stone" is an over 8 minute track that opens in a relaxed manner. The guitar cries out before a minute. A change after 1 1/2 minutes as the tempo picks up. It settles back before 6 minutes. "Moron Season" is the best song since "October Sad Song" and it is a vocal song. Some emotion here for a change. It then kicks in with organ a minute in and faster paced vocals follow suit. A guitar reference to "Smoke On The Water" at one point as well.

"Horizon" is a short instrumental that shines. "Intermission" is even shorter at under a minute. It's an intro to "Moustaches In Massachusetts" I believe. The latter is a pretty good guitar driven instrumental with plenty of organ as well. I like it ! "Pilgrims" opens with relaxed guitar and organ. It kicks in before a minute as the drums pound away. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes but it does pick up again. "JussiPussi" is a fun and dynamic track. Crazy stuff. "Iron Pillows" is almost experimental to start then the guitar starts to lead and the organ joins in. More experimentation is mixed in as it plays out. "After Solstice" is another instrumental with the drums and guitar standing out this time. Organ after a minute.

"The Rusty Wolff Attack" named after the drummer who gives us a solo here. "Lost And Found" is a vocal track with drums, guitar and organ leading the way. Good song ! "Scary Movie" has sampled haunted voices as it were then the music turns heavy. Not for long but it will come and go. Lots of atmosphere on this one too. "Cinema" is the longest song at just under 11 minutes. Nice bass after 4 minutes as the music sort of twists and turns throughout this instrumental. I'm reminded of PORCUPINE TREE after 8 minutes and I love the guitar that joins in. "Your So Wrong" is a vocal track. Man this is good. "Ice King (Instrumental)" is just that while the album ends with the 30 second "Ten Inch Lisa".

Well this did get better after my first listen. I didn't even like it after that long first spin but after a week of playing this I feel I got to know it pretty good. Unfortunately the high peaks are few and far between for me but man I love those passages and songs. Still there's not enough here to offer up that fourth star. Good album though.