FOUR MOMENTS

4.5 stars. This is one of those albums that really moves me. The lush, melodic soundscapes filled with mellotron and Gilmour / Latimer-like guitar melodies just breaks me.This is by the way a classic mellotron album.The first side of the album is taken up with the four part "Four Moments" suite, while the second side features two absolutely beautiful instrumentals.The vocals reminded me of John Wetton right away although that comparison seems to fade after the first song. I acknowledge that this isn't complex or challenging, but much like "Us And Them" or "Epitaph" it doesn't have to be to leave me overwhelmed.

"Glories Shall Be Released" is my least favourite track but it's so beautiful to open, it's almost orchestral sounding with that majestic mellotron. It settles with keys and light drums taking over. It's YES-like 2 1/2 minutes in and again a minute later. Vocals and a calm before 4 minutes. Mellotron ends it. This first song is a little too polished and commercial, but the rest of the album is pure bliss. "Dawn Of Our Sun" is much better with that absolutely gorgeous mellotron drenched soundscape to open. Vocals 2 1/2 minutes in. The guitar / mellotron section 4 minutes in is so moving. It blends into "Journey Through Our Dreams" where vocals and acoustic guitar lead off. Mellotron and a fuller sound follows. Some excellent guitar 3 minutes in goes on and on as bass throbs. Beautiful. Synths take over from the guitar after 4 1/2 minutes as drums pound. The mellotron and vocal section before 6 minutes is so emotional.

"Everything Is Real" is the 2 minute finale where synths lead the way until the calm arrives with mellotron to end it. "Rosanna" is simply an awesome display of melodic guitar and synth work that are so moving and emotional, that they must be heard to be believed. "Openings" opens with organ as light drums come in. Very laid back. The guitar before 2 minutes starts to light things up tastefully. Powerful organ after 2 1/2 minutes. The guitar is back 4 minutes in. More emotional guitar before 5 minutes. Mellotron before 7 minutes, then synths take over before guitar returns 8 1/2 minutes in. More mellotron and guitar follow that are so moving. It turns aggressive 11 minutes in and then tempo picks up too.

This is maybe the most significant progressive album ever released in Australia. A mellotron laden beauty.