WIND & WUTHERING

Reading most of the previous reviews, the general impression seems to be that Wind and Wuthering, released only months after TOTT is a slightly inferior effort. In my opinion, this album is not only equal to the previous album but far superior in many respects.

For a start, the actual production is just superb. The production on TOTT sounded very dry to my ears ,the instrumentation bordering on prosaic at times,even a little clumsy such as the closing bars of "Dance on a Volcano". In contrast, beginning with the follow up album's introductory siren like guitar figure by Steve Hackett set to Tony Bank's swelling mellotron backing, Wind and Wuthering is pure ear candy. In fact the sound is so polished and the instrumentation so assured,it is hard to believe it is the same band playing and with the same engineer to boot.Steve Hackett really shines on this album. His soloing on "...In that Quiet Earth" is pure aural bliss.If only he had been given the opportunity to step forward more often. Another of the album's highlights, "Blood On The Rooftops" also showcases his skills on the nylon string guitar.

This album is often thought of as Tony Bank's and it is easy to see why. The level of sophistication in his chordal arrangements and the use of all those expansive chords especially on the mellotron is what really gives this album its incredible autumnal atmosphere.

Although some of the actual compositions are less memorable than previous albums,the arrangements, playing and production makes this album an absolute joy from beginning to end.The band also know how to make a balanced listening experience.This is why songs like "You Have Your Own Special Way" and "Afterglow" might for some fans be throwaway pop songs,for me they actually make the album all the more rich.In retrospect the commercial direction the band was heading in is hinted on in this album not just in its poppier moments.

There are some albums I like, some albums I truly admire but this album I truly love.An absolute unqualified 5 out of 5