FLY HIGH FALL FAR

PENDRAGON's first album is a fair product if you consider the year/decade and if you add the debut label, even with the acknowledgment that "Fly High Fall Far" isn't in reality a full album. Anyway, knowing now a little better the band's history we notice that they weren't properly rookies in the prog scene since they had amassed a certain number of years on the road, which explains the reason they show pieces of seniority throughout this short release.

Having absorbed convenient doses of classic prog-rock taken directly from the fountain of the 70s, PENDRAGON show an apparent typical neo-prog album which in truth is tinted with neat symphonic and space/psych prints - something that should become, at least for my ears, a kind of band's signature. The reference to FLOYD's "The Wall" heard in the intro of 'Fly high, fall far', the opening song, is a clear testimony of their roots and background. The song itself is pleasantly average, with some good hard-rock parts and hearable keyboards, drumming and vocals actions - not groundbreaking but interesting.

'Victims of life' sports that characteristic neo-prog atmosphere responsible for the disdain of so many old prog-fans; guitar does a great work compensating a few the excessive flow of synth sounds. Soft segment is catchy and amusing enough to make worth the listening of the whole track. 'Dark Summer's day' seems a follow-on of previous song, but now things become weary and expendable; the weakest point in this mini-album. 'Excalibur', the closing song, on the other side is the strongest point - really a fine moment and where band demonstrate their ability and musicianship.

This mini-album could be considered only a specific item for fans and collectors however if one looks forward at PENDRAGON's career life it becomes essential which points to the middle course. Good.