FLOATING TANGIBLILTY

Well, looking at the reviews or better: the lack of reviews and just 4 ratings so far this isn't a very wellknown band. I have this CD for over 10 years now but I do remember it wasn't easy to get hold of. Why I wanted to buy it ? Because of a great song called Slaves which was to be found on a Cyclops sampler back then. It was one of the best songs on the sampler so I wanted to check them out some more.

I can't say it was disappointing really, this band is a very nice one in the neo prog category. So I can also relate to the average score so far, somewhere between 3 and 4 stars seems just about ok to me. But it's time to say some more about this album. It can roughly be divided in two parts: the first 5 songs are somewhat mellow, almost sweet sounding neo prog. The second part (last 5 songs) are more energetic and also more interesting compositionwise. If Slaves (3rd track) and Circles (9th track) would trade places on the disk it would even be entirely correct where my statement is concerned.

It almost goes without saying that for my personal taste the second halve of the album is my absolute favourite part. The songs are more inventive and contain very catchy instrumental passages (especially Slaves, 11-11 and Keep on Running). Hypnotic is the instrumental of the album and is really one of the better tracks. Triludan is the epic but in that sense a little disappointing, I always expect a lot of the longer tracks but this is not too special.

All things considered it's a really tough call between 3 and 4 stars because of the mentioned 50-50 score in quality. I'm afraid I will have to round down to 3 because I agree that this is not really essential for prog history, it's more of a nice album. And then for those who like sympathetic sounding neo prog.

Primitive Instinct hail from Maidstone, Kent, led by the main figure of Nick Sheridan on guitars/vocals, who gathered the team of Andy Quinnel on keyboards, Richard Culham on, Billy Geddes on bass and Nick Brown on guitars in 1987.They had a cult following at the South-East British coast, producing four demo tapes, in order of release ''A primitive instinct'', ''Once round your ear'', ''On a rainy night'' and ''Into the ocean''.In 1990 Geedes and Brown leave the band and new bassist Pic Hayes enters the scene.1994 sees the band securing a deal with Cyclops (third ever release by the label), the track ''Slaves'' made it to the ''Cyclops sampler'' and Primitive Instinct release their debut ''Floating tangibility'', recorded at the Red Studios in Wouldham, Kent.

Primitive Instinct is a classic act within the borders of British-styled Neo Prog, but their sparse releases made them an under-the-radar Prog band.In ''Floating tangibility'' they had chosen to play a melodic Progressive Rock akin to early PENDRAGON, ABEL GANZ and THIRD QUADRANT, focusing on distorted guitars, incredible vocals, instant melodies and less bombastic tunes, even if some amounts of pure energy are also present.With a very solid songwriting, some dramatic lyricism and a very balanced sound they manage to catch the listener's attention through pompous textures, accesible passages, memorable choruses and great guitar work with CAMEL and PINK FLOYD touches.Do not expect any impressive acrobatics or furious interplays.Good thing is Sheridan and his teammates play along their strengths, which are the very compact instrumental work, the creation of atmospheric soundscapes and the advantage of having a gifted singer like Nick Sheridan.Tracks swirl around typical 80's moods with smooth guitar moves and happy melodies to more grandiose pieces with a pronounced keyboard work and a richer style in general.Each of the tracks though is pretty great with tight executions and striking melodies.

Standard but very well-played Neo Prog.Produced for all fans of the style and music lovers taking their early steps into the Prog Rock world.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.