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Procol Harum - Procol's Ninth CD (album) cover

PROCOL'S NINTH

Procol Harum

 

Crossover Prog

2.85 | 120 ratings

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ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
2 stars This is definitely one of the weakest album of the band so far.

I f you would except the very good opener ("Pandora's Box"), there is too little to remember about this effort. Attempts to melodic and catchy songs are plenty but unsuccessful. A gentle album from a declining band.

Creativity has been put into brackets here. The bluesy influence ("Taking the Time") is back again and it is really not my cup of tea, fine melodies are too scarce to be mentioned.

So, what's left here? Not too much I'm afraid. Another funky/bluesy one ("The Unquiet Zone") is totally dispensable. Here and there some good songs which remind us the good old days like the fine "The Final Thrust" and its pleasant piano harmony and sweet vocals. But that's a bit thin to be honest.

The brass is also too much present to my taste ("I Keep Forgetting") and dilute the true "Procol Harum" sound. But soul music has never been a fave of mine.

"Without A Doubt" is far much better of course. Brooker's vocals are as good as they can be, emotion is there and at the end of the day, this is another good one from this album. But again, the brass section is almost ruining it.

To be honest, emotion is again on the rendezvous with "The Piper's Tune". All the genius of the band is again in place: a catchy melody, some good piano, fine and pleasant vocals. I'm not asking for more. If only more songs of this type would have been featured. It could have led to another good album.

I have liked this band quite a lot up to this point (with the noticeable "Broken Barricades" which I could not really praise), but this album doesn't shine at all. Too many average songs can only lead to an average album, right? Two stars.

ZowieZiggy | 2/5 |

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