AS THE WORLD

Like Finnforest this was my first taste of ECHOLYN and I also felt a little underwelmed. Perhaps this isn't the best place to start as i've since enjoyed their album "The End Is Beautiful" quite a lot. At almost 70 minutes this one's a little long for my tastes as well.

"Always The Same" opens with a short orchestral piece. Anyone who knows me knows this is starting off on the wrong foot with me. "As The World" is pretty good with the focus on the vocals and the vocal harmonies. Nice guitar 3 minutes in. "Uncle" opens with drums. I do like vocals and harmonies here quite a lot. Piano becomes prominant later. Excellent track ! "How Long I Have Waited" sounds so cool the way it sounds and builds. Nice bass in this one too. This is lighter but it works. "Best Regards" opens with strummed guitar and vocals. It kicks in quickly. Check out the vocal harmonies after 2 1/2 minutes. Excellent guitar and drum work late. Another good one. "The Cheese Stands Alone" is for me a turn off. The vocals are too rough which is what i've noticed in some of their live songs i've heard. "Letters Prose" is mellow with lots of piano.

"A Short Essay" sounds better when it kicks in around a minute. Not a fan of the intro. Not bad. "My Dear Wormwood" is definitely GENTLE GIANT influenced both instrumentally and vocally. I like the mellower sections. "Entry 11/19/93" opens with orchestral sounds before mellow vocals come in. Too soft especially with the strings and such. "One For the Show" opens with reserved vocals and acoustic guitar. Drums and a full sound come in. Drums and piano shine midway through, guitar follows. "The Wiblet" is a short piano / drum / bass / guitar piece. It blends into "Audio Verite". "Settled Land" is almost dreamy with harmonies. I like it ! It does kick in unfortunatley. "A Habit Worth Forming" features lots of piano and vocals early. It gets fuller with drums and guitar later. Almost Howe-like guitar late. "And...Never the Same" opens with flute and orchestral sounds. Acoustic guitar and vocals follow. This sounds really good.

Hit and miss, but with more hits. 3 stars.