GREENSLADE

Having two keyboard players, I guess that it is all too normal to compare them with ''Procol Harum'' and ''Rare Bird''. But IMHHO, ''Greenslade'' only falls shy of these two (especially the former of course).

Keyboard lovers will of course appreciate the lush mellotron lines, the fine organ parts but the whole of this work is lacking of melodies, passion and structure. This is probably the reason why the band has always been a second to third tier and called it quit pretty rapidly.

Still, this album is pleasant (but not brilliant). I was charmed by the beautiful middle part of ''Feathered Friends'', and by the ELP oriented ''An English Western''. To be honest, there are no weak tracks on this album, but no real highlights either. An easy listening album with some jazzy textures (''Drowning Man', ''Temple Song'') and fine dual keyboards all the way through.

The only problem of this album resides in the fact that there are very little great moments available. ''Melange'' features a great start, but turns out to be an average jamming effort after two minutes or so. Bass play is prominent, almost soloing and I have to admit that this has never been my cup of tea.

There is hardly anything wrong with the musicianship of the guys of course, just that the overall song writing was not on the expected level. Here and there, the listener will face some fine and bombastic passages but those are really too spread out to be convincing. The very good closing ''Sundance'' is another example of this theory. Still, I like very much and it is without doubt one of the best track available here.

I also feel that to name a band with your own first name sounds rather pretentious and little respectful of the other band's members. As if you could only impose your own stuff, since you are the ultimate boss.

I can't really consider this album as a masterpiece as other colleagues have done. Maybe because I have listened to too many records which leads me to be more strict in my ratings.

This album is still a pleasant one which I rate with three stars.