THE SENTINEL

This is one of the pre-historical neo-prog album. But there was an even more prehistoric one (Script of course). And this album sometimes borrow some ideas from the genuine Marillion gang (Rise & Fall).

There are also some post new-wave music featured in here (Cut & Run) some AOR-ish pop song (Arrive Alive) as if the band was hesitating on which direction to give to their career.

Unlike the superb debut of the genuine Marillion, there are no such great anthems available here. It is also true to say that both bands didn't play into the same division. Most songs are pleasant but few are jewels. You know the story, right?

I quite like the nice rock ballad Eastwest: the melody is moving, it features fine vocals and keys are outstanding. I just hope there would be more of this type in this debut album.

Actually, the album improves while advancing: Heart Attack is a very good song and instead of saying that this band sounds as this one or that one, I would rather tell about their influence upon bands such as Grey Lady Down.

Of course there are some passages which sounds as déjà vu, like the instrumental intro of Atlantis (fully Genesis oriented), but let's not forget that this was the essence of this young style back then (85). The closing instrumental section is yet another fine moment of this good album.

The most symphonic and bombastic of all tracks is Ark Of Infinity as if the band was a bit embarrassed to sound differently and wanted to get back to more traditional prog sounds.

In all, I would point out the good vocals from Euan Lowson and the very good guitar work form Niall Mathewson. A good album indeed.