RITES AT DAWN

Whereas Wobbler's earlier albums had impressed me with the sheer range of different prog bands of the past they drew inspiration from, on Rites at Dawn they seem much more focused on paying tribute to Yes, with a few other bands only getting occasional look-ins (such as in the fairly Gentle Giantish vocal harmonies - but even then, golden-age Yes wasn't averse to playing around with vocal harmony a bit either themselves). I'd be disappointed if this proves to be their new direction for the long term, but for the space of one album I think I can just about forgive it - they do a really very good impersonation and update of Yes at their best, after all. I just hope the band don't get caught up in a Yes-worshipping rut.