ACQUIRING THE TASTE

There is a big change here compared to their first album. "Acquiring the Taste" is the first incursion into the marvelous world of progressive rock. Nevertheless, the hard rock dimension is still very present, especially on "Pentagruel's Nativity": the floating keyboards on this track combined with the powerful rythmic guitar are really a unique tour de force! Gary Green's very loud and razor guitar sets the rythmic hard rock tendency, even having some wah-wah effects. There are tons of miscellaneous instruments: vibraphone, celesta, harpsichord, cowbells, saxes, tympani, maracas, trumpet, clarinet, tambourine, gong and triangle among others. Surprisingly, many bits are more floating and more mellow than ever here: the album is often quite relaxing compared to the nervous "Octopus", "Power & Glory", "Free Hand" and "Interview". "Wreck" has many musical styles involved: medieval, baroque, symphonic, hard rock, it is very impressive! "The Moon is Down" is my favorite one: the instrumental parts are absolutely varied, complex, cute, subtle and very progressive. "Black Cat" has some interesting wah-wah effects, imitating a cat meow! "Plain Truth" has nervous wah-wah violin parts, reminding VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR. "The House, The Street, The Room" has a powerful hard rock combination of intense wah-wah guitar solo and dirty distorted organ. Finally, the last track, "Acquiring the Taste", has a very symphonic Italian prog sound of the 70's, like BANCO's "Traccia 2".

My rating: 4.5/5