Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Curved Air - Air Cut CD (album) cover

AIR CUT

Curved Air

 

Eclectic Prog

3.69 | 185 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Atavachron
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Soulful entry from the Curved ones, and despite the shakeups to sound and body, is successful at what it is: a damn good rock album. The group was progressive mostly to the extent that in 1973 almost everyone in music worth their salt was progressive, progressing, or leering enviously at those who were. One may ask if the heavier approach here was a natural extension or a forced ingredient, and I suppose we'll never know. But then that was the beauty of the Prog Age, it didn't really matter as long as it was done well.

The band doesn't miss a beat picking up their new direction, and as always the vivacious Sonja Kristina adds her wit and musicality to the compositions with feeling. Emlee Jane is the girl our mom didn't want us to hang out with (or even meet) and there is little doubt this is gonna be trouble, helped by new members Kirby Gregory with his Jimmy Page riffs and a young Eddie Jobson's electric fiddle. Spectral folkie 'Elfin Boy' respites into Jobson's 'Metamorphosis' echoing The Who's majestic period but soon with plenty of deliberate tone and direction shifts, big requiem organs, Jim Russell's firing-squad snare, and is followed by Tiny Tim-like 'World' with Sonja's fey falsetto and Eddie's squeaky strings. Quirky, funny and very good 'U.H.F.' goes on a bit too long, hippie-pop group sounds in 'Two-Three-Two', and the record is caboosed by brilliant folkrock cautionary bit 'Easy' oozing with Kristina's smoldering gypsy sensuality and the smart arrangements of this fine team.

Earthy, sultry but sophisticated, Air Cut is a solid release by a group that could've thrown in the towel at the first sign of problems but didn't, and consequently added a winner to their catalog.

Atavachron | 4/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this CURVED AIR review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.