CORVUS STONE UNSCREWED

Having enjoyed both previous CS albums I was interested to hear also their third one, which at this point exists only digitally. I actually avoid writing reviews NOT based on the physical CD with covers and all, but this time I'll make an exception because I want to support the band and help them in their goal of getting this album released some day on CD.

Partly this album recycles formerly released tracks in a new form. 'Early Morning Call' was originally an instrumental on the second album, but Sean Filkins wanted to add his vocals, and then Phil Naro wanted to add his! The result is enjoyable. The opening instrumental 'Brand New Day' is available also as a downhill skiing promotional video. 'Joukahainen Without Chips' is a charming instrumental, full of emotion expressed especially by the electric guitar of Colin Tench. The bried and lively 'Horizon' (remixed and partly re-recorded version) could have been a number by Steve Howe in the classic YES days.

'Landfill' is a bit disjointed combination of Baroque and Folk reminding melodies and a coldly synthetic soundscape, not among my favourites. 'After Solstice' is another reworked instrumental. Sorry for being now unable to estimate it against the older version, but sure it's a good, soothing prog track that's made to be enjoyed as music, not as technical self-indulgence. 'JussiPussi (remix)' maybe turns more into the latter category, too quirky and restless tune for my taste. 'Scary Movie Too' is based on an earlier track, with a greater band interaction in the new sections.

All in all the music of Corvus Stone Unscrewed sounds pretty good, but from this reviewer's point of view a digital-only album with a lot of recycled contents is an unrewarding and unsecure task to write about. I'm not very keen to have various versions of the same music or to hear how they differ from each other. Is my review honest enough without seeing at least some of such trouble? And the notion of the former albums being of maximum CD length, and this one "only" slightly under 50 minutes; is it for better or for worse? With all new material of this high standard I'd definitely say for better, because the earlier albums did taste like being overpacked, and some further editing would have made them stronger and more coherent. Now this album seems to scream some regret about the way the former albums are.

This multinational band is so skilled and perfect together that I sort of wish they had looked more freshly into the future instead of reworking the existent material. But of course it they themselves felt this was the right thing to do, then this was the right thing to do. If this is an unquestionable artistic improvement, as I believe it is, then this one also fully deserves the four-star rating and no less. Sonia Mota has made again excellent work as the cover artist: another good reason for this album to be released on a CD format.