NATIONAL HEALTH

I first gave this album a rating of 4* based on a one time listen. I was like yea it's great not as good as Hatfield but sure 4*.

Then it dawned on me that I never listen to this album. I wondered why so I gave it some listening. Ah that's why. This album is rather boring (opinion). Basically the music is a lot like Hatfield and the North but more intense, less singing.

Track one gives you a bombardment of keyboards and moods, quiet parts harrowing actual female singing. By all means this song should be fantastic. I think the song never builds to anything though it simply exists and the music found is not memorable enough for me to desire it. Additionally there is an ambient section which I am very cautious about as it's easy for me to be unimpressed which is what happens. I think ambient parts can be good if this song has earned it. I don't think this song does so when it comes back I'm left cold

Track two is a Gowen song that's actually nice. Very calm and pretty. It has opens with keyboard and maintains a sparse vibe for some time, during which flute rein supreme. Additionally the scat melody is clear and distinct which stands as a marked improvement over the previous track. I like this one, the staccato block chords, developing composition and general sound it evokes.

Track three is split into two parts, likely due to vinyl restrictions. This, like track one is a Stewart song but unlike it is good (no song on here is bad, the song is just not at the level I know he can reach). The track develops slowly and one can really hear the neat muddy eighties bass tone, nice. Like the closing part of track two there is some screaming guitar and then boom the song changes. This part is neat you get this abrupt stately March over which fuzzed out organ pierces. As the song develops it keeps some quirky rhythms, quite good.

Track four is what brings this to 3*. It starts alright with dark atmospheric sounds. Then it proceeds to become a sprawling fourteen minute song. Most of it is just fine mediocre Canterbury Scene stuff y'know. However, it ends with some ambience then done. So unsatisfactory.

Overall this is an album that just doesn't click for me. It isn't bad but is overall to much of a background listening experience, hence 3/5 because it still is good. Canterbury Sound Score 5/5

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