LIFEMASK

Four-and-a-half stars. STORMCOCK and LIFEMASK are almost companion pieces. For most, these two are the essential releases by Harper. I don't want to argue with that, especially since neither album has any throwaway tracks (unlike subsequent releases), but I would suggest that *some* newcomers to Harper might want to start with his other 70s albums, which usually contain shorter songs and a more varied approach. Many might buy STORMCOCK or LIFEMASK and figure Harper's not for them (let's face it, these are difficult albums, and take time and committment to appreciate), when if they had started with something more accessible (that is, any of his other 70s releases), they might find a way into Harper's wondrous musical world.

It's hard to argue which is better, STORMCOCK or LIFEMASK . Yes, LIFEMASK's closing "Lord's Prayer" isn't for anyone (I wish too that I could skip the long poem at the beginning); at the same time, STORMCOCK 's opening song "Chef d'oeuvres" is a little weak compared to the rest of its songs (as well as compared to LIFEMASK's opening salvo "Highway Blues").