THE BROKEN HEARTED BRIDE

This tendency is immediately noticeable when you compare the first two tracks: the opener Call To Action is a fine rocker with interesting Eastern influences (the same is felt during some sort of instrumental reprise at the end of the album under the form of Action Replay). It was already featured on High Seas (a Cousin / Conrad work) but it is completely revisited here. The follow- up Christmas Cheer is just one of those very dispensable Christian songs. I just can't stand the chorus. Press next.

Some personal elements are apparently included in the soft ballad Too Many Angels: it sounds a bit mellowish with these orchestrations but the song is not unpleasant. To change the pace, it was a good idea to place The Broken Hearted Bride right after Angels. Even if it is somewhat AOR oriented, it is quite conform to what the band has already achieved while willing to tackle the rock sound. Not too bad.

In terms of prog, the song which fully belongs to the genre is Through Aphrodite's Eyes. A long instrumental intro, fine and emotive guitar and a convincing Cousins (who wrote the song with Cronk) are raising this song to a high level. It is by far my favourite one. But it is alas, the single prog moment in here as well.

Deep In The Darkest Night is another song coming out of High Sea. Although the closing guitar part is crafted, I am not overwhelmed by this US oriented rock music. The worse is being reached with the country like You know As Well As I.

The only song signed by Chas Cronk alone (Everybody Knows) is a pleasant rock ballad. Strong melody and nothing mellow here. It is a solid song with some very melodic guitar lines. It is another good moment from this album.

Strawbs is not one of my preferred band but their almost forty years long career deserves all the respect. Hats off. It's the reason why I upgrade this average album to three stars.

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