TURN OF THE CARDS

My introduction to Renaissance. First time I heard the name, I ofcourse thought the band was all about music from renaissance, I was actually looking for that kind of music when I discovered the band. I bought this album, 'Turn of the Cards' after listening 'Mother Russia'. I had fairly low excpectations and this album exceeded them easily. I fell in love with the singer, Annie Haslam and the pianist, John Tout. The album is very easy and relaxing to listen. Very soft tune through the album.

The first track, 'Running Hard' is very good. It begins beautifully with great piano intro. Then strikes drums and fine piano melodies, and the singing by Haslam. Middle parts include some laid back and easy goin' rhythms and keyboard playing, as well as the end of the song. Strong classical music influences here, I think. Very fine track. 3/5 stars.

'I Think of You' is short, but very mellow ballad. The chorus and the verse are both very catching. Makes me want to sing along, which I do, infecting the whole block to deafness with my horrible singing voice. But that's another story. Small things are beautiful, and in this case, short ones too. 4/5 stars.

The next song, 'Things I don't Understand' begins well. And the chorus is very catchy. After hearing chorus for the second time, comes this cool, peaceful part with great vocals by Haslam. Sounding very epic when backing vocalists join. Returning to intro and verse. After chorus, great piano part. And after that, again, great vocal performance by Annie. I love the keyboard melodies in the song. I use the word "keyboard" sometimes, and "piano" the other times, just ignore. Soft flow to the end of the track. Highlight track of the album. 4/5 stars.

'Black Flame' is my favourite track of the album. Nice guitar intro. When keyboards join, spirit rises. Good choir-like vocals join after that. Calm vocals by Annie, and great chorus with good keyboards. Nice drumming too. Good bass and drumming joining after second chorus. Change to the guitars in the beginning and chorus for the last time. Structurally very boring, but otherwise very intresting and beautiful track. 4/5 stars.

The fifth track is 'Cold is Being', another short ballad. But I think this one is better than 'I Think of You'. Very emotional and beautiful. Great vocal performance, again. Lyrically very intresting. Though my booklet doesn't reveal them, but it's fairly easy to listen them. Good track. 3.5/5

The final track is 'Mother Russia'. Scary beginnig and great keyboard melodies. Very jazzy part after that. Then acoustic guitar rhythming Haslams voice. "Red blood, white snow/ He knows frozen rivers won't flow/ So cold, so true/ Mother Russia, he cries for you", if I'm correct. I like the lyrics on this one too. This song include great melodies, keyboard and singing as well. Very epic part in the end of the song. Final chorus and progressively slowing finishing touch. Great track. 4/5 stars.

Overall, the album is great, but not a masterpiece. It is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Very cool album. I can't compare this album to any other Renaissance albums, because this is by so far the only album I've listened from the gang. Very good introduction. (By the way, I don't know which band member is the second one from the left on the back of the album in the cards, but he looks just like Conan O'Brien with moustache.) I highly recommend this album to anyone. 4/5 stars.