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Apple Pie - Crossroad CD (album) cover

CROSSROAD

Apple Pie

 

Neo-Prog

3.81 | 121 ratings

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Ivan_Melgar_M
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Not being a fan of SPOCK'S BEARD, I must admit I had prejudices before listening "Crossroads" by APPLE PIE due to the references that mentioned them almost as clones of the USA band, but it is obvious that it's a pretty good album (And much enjoyable than any release of "Neal Morse" and company), the main problem is that seems the guys from Russia are still trying to find their personality.

The album crosses (As the name implies) from light Symphonic to Neo Prog, a bit of Hard Rock plus, some Funk and cute ballads, so I find "Crossroads" uneven, and missing some energy, they seem solid through extended passages but a few tracks ruin a good percentage of their achievements.

Most of the songs are obviously inspired in SPOCK'S BEARD but not enough to be called clones, because there's originality and freshness in the sound.

The main problem relies in a couple of weak tracks like "Temptation" which sounds as a failed James Brown impersonation and the two cute but extremely naïve ballads "Sunrise" and "Nothing" the last one makes me remember to a weaker version of PENDRAGON.

Also weak but already better is "Escape", which sounds like a very light Neo Prog track with some reminiscences of KING CRIMSON but without the brilliance. The rest of the songs are very solid and the vocals are good but not outstanding.

No way it's an essential masterpiece of Progressive Rock but if it wasn't for this tracks and mainly because "Temptation" I would had taken the chance for 4 stars, sadly this song ruins a good part of the many valuable moments of the record.

Three solid stars for an album which is over the average, and a lot of hope for the next release of a band that I'm sure will be much better if they decide what path and style to make their own trademark instead of wandering through different sounds and influences.

If you are able to buy it don't hesitate, despite the weaker tracks it's worth now and almost sure it will be more valuable as a collection item when they release more albums, but please stp copmparing them with other bands, they need an own personality and not to be known as SPOCK'S BEARD clones which is not the case.

Ivan_Melgar_M | 3/5 |

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