ETHOS

Is very hard to me understand why this lost pearl of the progressive scenery of the seventies, presents so few reviews (only 11). I prefer to believe, that it is due to the ignorance on the part of the collaborators' of the PA community, that for some indifference type! However, I also verified (with satisfaction) that the last 4 posted reviews, have given the deserved value to this albun.(5 stars) Speaking about the disk , this first work of the band ETHO'S, presents a sound a little more symphonic in relation to the albun "Open Up" (I compare the 1° in relaçâo to the 2°, because I already wrote a review on the same). Such fact maybe is dueto the presence of one more keyboard player that through the use in separate from the melotron brings as in the track "Everyman" (simulating a flute) a bucolic air, and in Track "Atlanteans" (where it simulates a suit of violins, cellos and other bowed instruments the most symphonic characteristic). However that is not dazzling in any way the mixture of symphonic prog/jazzprog/hard prog and space prog (that is the signature of this fantastic band), inside of this same track. That it is one of the prominences of the albun. The Track 5 presents an air a little heavier, with a rhythm dragged in some moments and permeated by instrumental deliriums. However, so that you can have the exact notion of what is this fantastic disk , goes direct to the Track 7 "The Dimension Man" and then you will understand clearly (I hope ...) because my quotation is 5 stars!!!!!

I've never seen so many 3.5 star ratings for an album before as there is around "The Net" for this one. It might be because it's too good to simply give it 3 stars, yet to give it 4 stars would be to over value it. The "good" about this recording is the bass and mellotron, I mean both are all over this album.The bad is the lyrics, concept and the fact it just comes across as cheesy. That's the first time and hopefully the last time i'll use that word, but for this record it fits.This American band actually got signed by a major record label in 1975 which is quite impressive.Two keyboardists and the band I thought of most often was YES.

"Intrepid Traveller" opens with strummed guitar as other sounds come and go. Keyboards take over with drums a minute in. Vocals follow. A calm with piano and reserved vocals as mellotron rolls in. It stays mellow until it picks up with a YES flavour 6 minutes in. "Space Brothers" opens with strummed guitar and mellotron. Vocals join in. I like the vocal melodies on the chorus. Nice chunky bass 2 1/2 minutes in with synths. Howe-like guitar 4 minutes in. "Everyman" has these laid back vocals with mellotron. It picks up a minute in then settles back as contrasts continue.

"Atlanteans" opens with mellotron as reserved vocals enter with bass. It picks up then kicks in after 2 minutes with bass and synths. The intro section is back after 3 minutes. Nice bass a minute later. It settles late with piano and mellotron. Waves end it. "The Spirit Of Music" has a corny intro but it becomes a lot better when the chorus arrives. The lyrics are cringe-worthy though. I like the heavy outbursts with mellotron after 3 minutes. "Long Dancer" has lots of mellotron and keys as vocals come in. More great bass before 2 minutes. The guitar with bass and mellotron is incredible after 4 minutes. "The Dimension Man" calms down a minute in. Vocals follow as it gets fuller. Contrasts continue. It's KING CRIMSON-like briefly before 2 1/2 minutes. Nice. "E'Mocean" is not a lame title is it ? Yeah it is. Sea-gulls and waves to open and close this tune. Strummed guitar, keys and vocals in between.

Of course I give it 3.5 stars. Mellotron fans may rate it higher because this is drenched in it.

I see lots of people here generalizing this group as a mediocre American wannabe Prog band. I don't care were it came from (and I'm not an American), I just interested in the music and I think this album is simply excellent. Very few bands are able to combine beautiful melodies with complex arrangements, and sound fresh and enjoyable, yet interesting. I think everything is here, good melodies, good production and excellent musicianship. I think this is a must for every one who consider himself as someone who enjoys music - regardless to were it was conceived and by whom. Do yourself a favor and listen to this album, it will make you day and life better.

imagine a meeting of countless influences of great bands from the most different styles of progressive music ! This is the best deffinition of Etho's style.

Some kind of mosaic very well mounted, starting from the mixture of Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Kansas, Return to Forever, King Crinsom, Pink Floyd etc... musical tendencys.

However, this "patchwork quilt" not results in a "indigestible" sound and not even in a clone from none of the bands above.

Besides, the musicians very close from the virtuosity ! The tracks 1,2,4,5 and 8, are the best moments of ETHO"S "Open Up".

Due to exposed my rate is 5 stars !!!

A rather forgotten band from USA,this quintet hailed from Fort Wayne at the state of Indiana.ETHOS got lucky to be signed by Capitol Records and soon they moved to New York in order to record their first album.By the end of 1975 the work was almost ready and the eight arrangements of ''Ardour'' were all written by the leader of the band,vocalist/mandolin player/guitarist Will Sharpe.

''Ardour'' is the absolutely perfect example of balanced instrumentation and also an absolute heaven of instrumental interplays.While the band delivers an evident symphonic sound,the variety of instruments and the alternation of sounds,moods and tempos will leave you speechless.The sound of the band is a great mix of early-KING CRIMSON's cleverness and YES' complexity with touches of GENESIS and GENTLE GIANT.Will Sharpe's vocals are reminiscent of KING CRIMSON's Greg Lake,while Hammond delivers an amazing performance on mellotron,with the various flutes and strings blended with piano and organ creating a chaotic atmosphere.Stephenson's bass lines are complex and heavy in the vein of YES' Chris Squire and Sharpe's guitar parts are also in the path of YES' Steve Howe.The polyphonic vocal harmonies resemble to a bastardation of YES- and GENTLE GIANT-like harmonies,while some delicate organ/mellotron parts will remind you of GENESIS' Tony Banks.The musicianship is fantastic and all tracks are...what can I say...maybe the right term should be ''accesibly complex''!...I honestly love this album,which came as a total surprise to me...ETHOS were a US band,obviously influenced by the British acts of the time,who managed to refine their inspiration in a personal,amazingly-crafted and perfectly-composed LP!

I had this album earlier this year and all but ignored it. What a fool! Here is about the one US band you've put up here I'd give the full 5 star masterpiece rating to, and don't let this one pass you by as it can still be found affordably, comes in a beautiful cover, and has the music to match. A progressive band from the American Midwest, Ethos for once give the listener a sound that is unique, atmospheric, and thought provoking with even some fun being had in the lyrics. Wil Sharpe wrote or co wrote every track and provided the band with guitar and vocals. If he's the lead singer his voice is gentle, soothing, and sung in for most of the album a whisper where in the few loud parts he sounds like David Bowie. The only other group I could think of like Ethos would be Yes (early on) and Fantasy, maybe also Jasper Wrath. Things begin fantastic with "Intrepid Traveller-" a bit of a Gentle Giant influence evident on this and much of the album, but better than Gentle Giant! There's thoughtful verses, strong choruses, dynamite playing from the group with lots of mellotron, and some fine guitar work too. "Space Brothers" continues Sharpe's fascination with space and life on other planets, but this won't bore you like if the local philosophy teacher dressed up in his robes and stepped onto a stage keening in an embarrasing imitation of a space alien which so much neo prog does. Technically, Ethos at 1975 in release date were tail end of prog, not neo prog. Punk rock fans must have been horrified by this. In fact, Ethos and Leviathan are the only two bands I can think of who sounded "dangerous" and "threatening" to the American public's lack of taste and interest in progressive rock. Side One closes with two tracks that are linked together by the Atlantis story- "Everyman" is a song I particularly empathize with. An old man who has been an outcast all his life saves a village from a flood every year and the people give him nothing but insults and stupidity. Finally, after writing his own epitaph (!) when the old man dies the town is washed away. Do we feel any sympathy for them? Hell, no! "Atlanteans" continues the theme with gentle flowing melodies and a haunting atmosphere. Side Two's "The Spirit Of Music" has a little fun in its story of music history from The Beatles to the present time (which then was 1975). The rest of the side is even better than that amazing track, and even more impressive than Side One if such a thing is possible. This is an outstanding record. Even the synthesizers are for the most part used tastefully and don't wreck anything. I would strongly reccommend this to anyone who loves progressive music, but for the Kayak/Camel/Fantasy crowd (myself one of those) this album can't be missed! If at first you don't get this, try it again. I found a copy for cheap and boy am I glad I gave this one some serious listenings since fetching it back again. Masterstroke!

This Album is The Best Ever American Propgressive Music, challenged only by its follow up album "Open Up" and sadly last offering from Wil Sharpe and Friends. ironically, This is filled with quite The English Inspiration side of Prog, formed by all of the usual suspects. But the main Sound here is King Crimsonesque, Some Camel, and a wacky Gentle Giant approach, especially with The Spirit Of Music and its quite funny sound scapes, courtesy of Mini Moog. The opening of this album has possibly the finest Mini Moog solo I've heard ever in my life. The use of both Pitch and Modulation is Superb. Even gives Jan Hammer a run for the money. L.Duncan Hammond was sorely missed on Open Up LP, But Michael Poncek did keep up the strength of the Keys on his own quite well. Wil Sharpe's voice (although not a skilled singer) is almost Italian Prog sounding, (Close to the sound of for instance Libra, or PFM, and also kinda close to Mick Ronson, or Timo Laine, or even some small moments of Japanese Rocker Kyoji Yamamoto.) a very smooth and soothing sound coming out of his body and pipes. Fantastically pleasant to listen to. Long Dancer is by far the finest track on the album, a severely emotional progression throughout and with aerie passages only to culminate into what I consider being the penultimate Guitar Solo of all times, hands down... Unbelieveable emotion and handling from Wil, His Guitar tone is indescribeable, but I'd call it Rubber Steal, in how he bends those G Notes into an A, The Only sad thing about Long Dancer is that it ends...!!! Mark Richards Drumming is Bill Bruford on Acid or a laid back Terry Bozzio... Fantastically unique approach to Roto Toms and Gongs and a fine sounding Snare to boot, brings us a most satisfying enigmatic challenge as a listener. Brad Stephenson, who years later wound up playing with Peter Banks Empire Project in L.A. is yet another Rickenbacker Plectrum player Galore... I can't help but just loving it, especially these days with all slap and lame soft fingers, lacking precision and stop timing issues. I've read some other reviews where words such as Embarrassing and not essential came up. I beg to differ... If you like Progressive Rock, This is the one you need to have along with Open Up. As for Embarrassing... A wise man once told me All forms of art is embarrassing and ridiculous. Thank God for such insight... without it, we would be arrogant pompous asses, all of us... Liten Up and have some Fun! I own this recording on LP, Cassette, 8-Track and Yes Japanese CD Release, and i still play all of them :-) I Give this album 10 Stars out of 5. Cheers! BOLLE_!_?

Here is an obscure little gem for all of you prog hunters and colletors out there.This is the only ETHOS lp I have ever run across in over 30 years of collecting,so I think it is safe to say that this group never really enjoyed wide spead popularity.I don't know much about these guys or any of the other ETHOS releases,but this one is excellent!It's hard to say why this group never caught on,but it's a shame since this is some really great prog!It's in the same league as KING CRIMSON,GENTLE GIANT,TULL,CAMEL,etc.,but with a slightly more eletronica bent.If you are lucky enough to run across this one you had better grab it up and in a hurry!I don't think that this has ever been reissued on cd.Ok,so let's get out there and hit those second hand thrift stores and the estate and yard sales!

One of the more infuriating albums out there. I guess you could call this the North American equivalent to TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS.

Some passages of this album are blistering, unique and amazing, with fiery guitarwork and dual keyboards (Hammond, Moog, piano, Clavinet, Mellotron/Chamberlin, etc.) that really do add an extra dimension to the music, some of the finest moments of any American prog album ever. Some passages are downright embarrassing-derivative and saccharine, exemplifying the worst tendencies of American prog-rock.

The big problem is, you can't pick out any one track. They're ALL like that, with amazingly excellent and abysmally bad sections sitting side-by-side. This is why the album is so infuriating! You're FORCED to listen to the bad stuff to get to the good. Combine that with the fact that this contains what surely must be the worst sets of lyrics by an native-English-speaking band EVER and you'll understand why I don't play this one much. Silliest lyrics (and there's serious competition for that, believe me) are probably found in "Everyman" a conceptual piece (centered around the imaginary river Si, pronounced "sigh". I can hear you groaning already.) with metaphors so obvious you can see them from space.

Second prize probably goes to "Spirit Of Music", whose lyrics would become highly ironic mere MONTHS after the album's release.

The debut album "Ardour" (1975) from USA progrock band Ethos sold worldwide more than 50.000 copies (many in the UK, Japan and Germany). They shared the bill with King Crimson and Gentle Giand and if you're lucky to own one of the wonderful Genesis books by Armando Gallo, you will notice that Peter Gabriel is wearing an Ethos t-shirt during their 1975 USA tour. So there's some magic around this band and their great first record! This CD (running time 62 minutes) is a compilation of four studio - and six live tracks, recorded between '73 and '75. The demo-studio tracks contain strong instrumental pieces (wonderful Mellotron eruptions, fiery electric guitar, harpsichord/electric guitar duel) with hints from Yes but the compositions sound more like a jam and at some moments a bit freaky/fragmentic. The live songs are more in the vein of Genesis featuring more variety (acoustic guitar, strings) and many Mellotron floods. The highlight is "Pimp city dream" (almost 18 minutes): a first part with a compelling bombastic climate, evoked by intricate interplay between a fiery electric guitar and moving Mellotron (a bit similar to Anekdoten), accompanied by cynical vocals. Halfway it's complete silence, followed by a Glenn Miller like piece, guitar-organ interplay and a heavy organ solo. The final part includes a fluent rythm delivering R&R guitar and bombastic organ runs. THIS IS ONE OF THE BETTER USA PROGROCK BANDS!

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