BIRDS

Like the previous album from TRACE, I give this one also a 5 star rating. Whereas the previous album puts the emphasis on the virtuosity of the band members, this one highlights Rick's skill in arranging music to an even greater degree. Usually his music sounds so good and natural that the skill that has gone in creating the track goes by almost unnoticed: some Hammond here, a fluff of harpsichord there, a little mellotron in the background passing by. And it's not just the use of instruments, his special signature also extends to his use of harmony, the way he structures melodies, it makes him very recognizable. Centre piece of this album is the Birds suite, it consists of several shorter movements strung together, with Rick using a host of different instruments, including the church organ. "Bourree" and "Snuff" are high energy tracks with a key role for the Hammond (in "Bourree" Rick combines Bach with a roadie imitating a monkey), "Janny (In a mist)" is a short Bix Beiderbecke solo piano piece, delightfully played, whereas the track "Penny" is a sensitive trio for piano, bass and drums. Rick duels with Daryl WAY, who is the guest star on "Opus 1065", a piece based on the "Concerto for 4 harpsichords and strings in A minor" from J.S.Bach. If you add to this two bonus tracks, an in-depth bio of the band in the booklet, this release is too good to let it pass you by.