Spirits of the dead-s/t

Voices of wonder
2008



Before starting this disc the cover caught my eye. The shiny, intricate shield put upon a white background drew my attention in, but it didn't afford me any clues as to what the music would sound like. A few seconds into the opener "White Lady/Black Rave" and the fuzzed out, 70's influenced sounds assaulted my sense immediately. Further on they continue to reach back a few decades and bring forth music that is obviously influenced by the the likes of the Doors, Black Sabbath, Moody Blues and others. Still they are not merely a retro act nor are they just a progressive band although they may likely be branded as both. They are a contemporary band first that uses elements of past music in their own concoction of energetic blasts to help form their own musical identity. On songs like "Fields of gold" and the title track they bring a lot of ideas into play and just keep them all in motion while bringing out enough passion and emotion to to really make them special. There is a lull in the middle of the album with "Red" and at least part of "T.I.T. (Traveller In Time)". During these songs they let their guard down some and seem to lose the combination of old and new ideas as they go for a more current sound. Certainly they are talented enough that this is decent, but they follow several really good songs and the change in direction seems oddly out of place. However they quickly get back on track for the final two songs and finish strong. I think they need a little work here and there on tightening some parts, but overall a refreshingly exciting release from a band with a great deal of promise.