DODSON AND FOGG

While DODSON and FOGG casts a few direct nods to PINK FLOYD's acoustic oriented diversions, such as the haunting "Weather Changes" (think a more concise "Hey You", with a searing fuzzy guitar solo), this has more in common with late 1960s and early 1970s psychedelic folk. I think the most accurate point of comparisons would be FUCHSIA ("Just You and Me" and "Footprints", and "Where on Earth") and ALAN HULL's solo work ("Nothing at All", ). While we can hear the influences of NICK DRAKE, early STRAWBS, FOREST, and even the pastoral side of KING CRIMSON, this is not all retro - Wade is subtly establishing his own identity in "All Day Long" and "Crinkle Drive", with his strumming and picking overdubs, hypnotically soothing voice, and his lead guitars that seem wisely calibrated at pH 4, just right for the style.

As is often the case on first efforts by unproven artists, the statement is clear and the songs are good but they just don't quite attain the next level demanded by the ever more jaded. Given the potential for future development and the imminent release of a second album, this act might emerge from the fogg sooner rather than later.