TALES OF IMPERFECTION

The Dutch band Flamborough Head is not the most prolific one, Tales Of Imperfection is their fifth in 8 years. But listening to this latest effort I can conclude that it is their most mature album. I have seen the band a few times, even on their annual performance on the Dutch Progfarm Festival. By the way, I can recommend every proghead to visit this festival featuring many less known but interesting progrock bands!

The seven compositions on this new CD (running time at about 52 minutes) sound pleasant and melodic and are a very tasteful arranged blend of classic, folk, rock and symphonic with the emphasis on the traditional symphonic rock from the Seventies with echoes from early Camel and Renaissance. The keyboards from Edo Spanninga are lush and varied: sparkling piano and soft violin-Mellotron in Maureen, classical piano, a church-organ sound and in the end a Peter Bardens-like synthesizer solo in Higher Ground and wonderful interplay with the flute and electric guitar in most of the songs. But the most impressive contribution on this CD is delivered by guitar player Eddie Mulder, from sensitive and warm to fiery and harder-edged and subtle use of slide and volume pedal, what an outstanding guitar work! The female vocalist (also flute) Margriet Boomsma will never gain the 'Annie Haslam award' but her voice sound less sharp than in the past, a bit more warm. IF YOU ARE UP TO WONDERFUL AND PLEASANT 24 CARAT SYMPHONIC ROCK, THIS ONE IS YOURS!

After 3 years finally came Flamborough Head´s second CD with the new line up. The sound has developed quite a bit and it´s hard to label them just neo prog. They now have much more symphonic leanings with some folk influences here and there. Guitar work of newcomer Eddie Mulder is superb, with great electric solos and some tasteful acoustic parts. He´s in top form! Margriet Boomsma sound a little bit more restrained here, but her flute work has bloomsomed and now is fully part of Flamborough Head´s music. Edo Spanninga´s keyboards are lush, varied and creative as ever. Bass and drums are tigh and strong.

But really what the best the group offers are great songwriting skills and great instrumental arrangements. No wonder they take so much time between each release! They simply don´t repeat themselves and never let the overall quality falls short. There are no fillers or weak songs to be found anywhere. All tracks are beautiful, well crafted and played with passion and precision. For some progheads they may sound simple at first, but that´s quite deceiving, really. The music grows on you with every listen. And I find myself pressing the repeat button again and again everytime I listen to this CD. Oh, how I wish all other prog bands had their quality control! While the production is not the best for this kind of music, it is overall quaite acceptable. Highlights are many, but I do have a soft spot for their mini epic Maureen: ten minutes of pure prog heaven, with lots of vintage sounding keys, shifting moods and a terrific, emotinal guitar solo at the last part that will surely make several seasoned masters of that instrument envy.

This is another winner from this dutch band that is one of the best prog groups around. As Erik has already pointed out, this is 24 carat symphonic prog music! 4,5 stars with honors!

The previous "Flamborough Head" album was a really good one and I know that it would be very difficult for the band to equal it. Although, in a period of three years time, the band might have been able to recreate such a jewel.

As usual, this album will sound much more as a symphonic piece of music that to a neo-prog one. Just listen to the title track and to the brilliant instrumental opening for "Maureen". It is true to say that when the band changed for a female vocalist, some "Renaissance" scent could be felt but not as much as for "Magenta" of course. "Maureen" is one example of this. The use of piano only underlines this even more. Its finale being just superb thanks to a great guitar solo. A highlight.

The band will also offer some "Genesis" interlude with the instrumental "Higher Ground". Just average. But "Flamborough Head" is quickly repairing this during "Silent Stranger". Nice fluting from Margriet. This long song starts as many ones from this band : with a strong and long instrumental intro. During these moments the band is really impressive and sounds so emotional. Even the song is probably not the best one available on this album, it remains enjoyable from start to finish.

Just as the next "Captivate Of Fate". Mostly acoustic with just sufficient keys to sustain the wonderful melody. Somewhat light and folkish but OK. "Mantova" won't be different in essence : strong and rhythmy introduction. Very good rhythmic section and powerful synths. Margriet joining nicely with some background fluting for this all instrumental track.

This is what "Flamborough Head" is all about. Lots of catchy instrumental music. This was already to be noticed in their first album "Unspoken Whisper". And the closing piece is no different. A crescendo short song, starting gently with a duet vocals/piano which will end up in a frenetic guitar part.

I would have liked to give this album a seven out of ten rating. Since it is not as great as their previous album, I will downgrade it to three stars. But remember that three stars means a good album.

This is FLAMBOROUGH HEAD's second release with the new female singer. Most consider this inferior to the previous one called "One For The Crow" but it does seem to be the most mature effort from the band so far. Not a big fan of the vocals and i'm sorry but I find the concept of this one a bit lame. I feel like i'm being a little insensitive in saying that but it's hard to relate.

"For Starters" is the short opening track with synths,guitar and cymbals that create an epic sound. "Maureen" opens with piano then it kicks in with some heaviness.Synths are prominant. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes with flute and piano standing out. It picks back up with prominant guitar before 4 minutes then we get vocals for the first time. A spacey calm after 6 minutes then piano joins in followed by other instruments and vocals. Some tasteful guitar after 8 minutes and it stays fairly laid back to the end. "Higher Ground" is mellow with piano and synths. Drums and guitar join in as it builds a little. It settles again the we get some nice acoustic guitar 4 1/2 minutes in. Flute joins in as well. Organ before 6 minutes then guitar as it kicks back in. It settles late with flute to end it.

"Silent Stranger" turns fuller before 2 minutes then the guitar starts to solo.Vocals and piano 3 minutes in then it picks up. A calm with piano and laid back guitar after 5 minutes. It picks up again before 7 minutes. Another calm 8 minutes in with reserved vocals. "Captive Of Fate" features acoustic guitar and background synths as vocals come in before a minute.This is a ballad-like track really. "Mantova" is an instrumental with where the tempo changes quite often. "Year After Year" ends the album with vocals and piano before the guitar solos 2 minutes in.

I'm just not feeling it at all with this or their previous album. Average at best.