EPIC FOREST

After As Your Mind Flies By, it was apparent the band broke up, looked like creative difference between Graham Field and David Kaffinetti. Graham Field ended up in a group called Fields that released an album in 1971 on CBS and seemed to have disappeared from the music business. At least he didn't mind Kaffinetti and Steve Gould using the Rare Bird name with a new band. While the original band featured two keyboardists and no guitars, this lineup featured only one keyboardist (Kaffinetti) and two guitarists, one of them newcomer Ced Curtis, with Steve Gould switching from bass to guitar. For those with an aversion to prog seem to take more kindly to this version of the band. The bands takes on a more easy rock approach, with a West Coast influence, a bit in the vein of Crosby, Stills & Nash in places. It's basically a totally different band so don't expect As Your Mind Flies By Part II. Steve Gould's vocals tend to be much more low key, although on the title track he uses that unmistakable voice that I loved so much with the first two albums. Speaking of the title track, it's easily the most progressive thing on the album, and a great highlight. "Her Darkest Hour' is a nice acoustic piece, while "Turning the Lights Out" and "Title No. 1 Again (Birdman)" shows they can rock too. If you're luck to own the original British LP, you should have a 7" EP that came with it (it plays at 33, not 45), on there are three songs, "Roadside Welcome", "Four Grey Walls" and "You're Welcome". I really thought these were nice additions. One gets the impression they were trying to go for a double album, but either didn't have enough material and just cram the rest on a 7", or it was a gimmick, or the record company didn't think it was a good idea for them to record a double album (especially since it was their debut for Polydor). Of the three albums they did for Polydor, this is by far the best album. Just don't expect As Your Mind Flies By.