BRIDGE

'Bridge' represents the first, and slightly heavier half of a double release in 2002, by this German four piece; the second, 'Flesh', following quickly on its heals. The catchy 'Bridge' theme is used as both prologue and epilogue to a 56 minute album which abounds with many great hooks and catchy tunes, which will ceratinly appeal to fans of Enchant, Saga, and 'Far Off Grace' era Vanden Plas. Highlights of the album are many from the catchy opener 'Across The Land' through 'Driven' and ''Ten Years Late', all of which will have you humming the tunes by the second listen. That said, it isn't merely a middle of the road art- prog album, as the dark 'Juliet', about a relationship breakdown, along with its crunching ending will tesify, or the album's highlight, 'Not This Time', which at just under 7 minutes, allows the band a little more of an expansive platform, which I would like to hear more of in the future. The cornerstone of the band, Oliver Philipps, writes all the material himself, plays guitar, keyboards and has a pleasing, if not spectacular voice with excellent English pronunciation, and in my view has created an album which is certainly worth checking out, and is difficult not to like. Their web site says that their 7th album, 'North', is well underway, but has been halted by the harsh reality of having to pay the bills. Let's hope it isn't too long before it finds its way into my CD player!!