CORVUS STONE

I've had this rather nice album for a while now but perhaps held off reviewing it until the music had settled in my mind. Although classed as 'crossover' in general terms this is eclectic instrumental music played by a very talented bunch of musicians. The core line up is: - Pasi Koivu / keyboards - Colin Tench / guitars - Petri Lemmy Lindstr'm / bass, various instruments although 4 others also help out in various other departments.

In total there are 21 tracks and the 79 minutes is 'beefy' even by modern standards. You might reasonably expect some filler but to my ears there is none. Although mostly instrrumental there aren't any tracks that are filled with aimless soloing. There is a vision here and every single peice is a proper composition not something that has just been chucked out. You get a feeling of evolution throughout the album but also its a journey with many sights to take in along the way. Lots of influences are apparent but nothing sticks out a mile. Its pleasantly jazzy at times but the synths help to create atmosphere where necessary.The playing is snappy and energetic and most of all a sense of fun pervades the whole project.

A lot of people have remarked that this lacks a coherence and I can understand that view but debut albums are about discovery not about laying down a definite agenda. Perhaps not a masterpeice but this album is as enjoyable as anything I have heard in the last few years and there is probably more to come. A slam dunk 4 stars.