PURITY AND DESPAIR

Following on from #69 where I reviewed the three most recent Elegant Simplicity albums I now have had the opportunity to hear the two albums previous to that. 'Purity and Despair' was released in 1998 and was the follow-up to 'Reversal Of Time' which I reviewed in 1997. This album is solely instrumental, and Steve McCabe has again employed some extra musicians, this time in Peter Douglas (guitars) and Gilbert Ross (basses). Of course Steven then manages to bring the kitchen sink to the ensemble, giving it a very full sound indeed (one small niggle, a 'live' drummer would have given it a better sound.

What is immediately apparent is the way that the music moves and flows, sometimes returning to a previous theme or moving on in a new direction. The music can be led through 'modern' style keyboards or a mellotron, or acoustic guitar or electric, but it always keeps the interest and could never be considered boring or background. Instrumental albums need to be something a bit special to keep the listener involved, and this is laid back yet at the time passionate and brings together melodies in a way that really works. Camel are again a main influence and I would urge fans of that band to search this out.

Originally appeared in Feedback #70, Oct 02