THE WAKE

Almost a masterpiece! Comparing with debut it's more carefully produced, with better recording work etc. The opening "Outer Limits" is very energetic, with enormous drive, also it is pretty structured as for 80s Neo ;). "The Wake" - the song - is a real hard-prog-rock hit, transforming into "The Magic Roundabout" with its unusual structure and thrilling climax (the closing solo is great, too). "Corners" seem to drag forever, but works on the song, really. "Widow's Peak", another epic story, is the longest track here. Another could-be-single "The Thousand Days" works better in demo version (at least, for me), while here it's ruined by a minute of synths' trickery. I adore "Headlong" ballad with its opening lamenting vocals - very haunting, very marillionic! - and that powerful coda...amazing, to say the least! "Dans..." also has some highlights, especially in solos (I wonder why this track wasn't featured on the album). A very mature work, highly recomended especially for those who doesn't believe in well-crafted 80's Neo-Prog ;)