DERRING DO

From the lineup to the overall style, very little has changed from the DODSON and FOGG debut released only a year or so before. CHRIS WADE has been busy with various projects including a follow up album already released and a book about BLACK SABBATH. Rest assured this remains musically closer to NICK DRAKE and FOREST crossed with LINDISFARNE and acoustic PINK FLOYD than heavy metal, even if some passages are edgier.

While Wade's lyrics are still whimsically reflective, his tempos tend to be overly downshifted, which can feel a tad oppressive over the course of the disk. "Flying High", "The Leaves they Fall", and "Time" all eschew vibrancy in energy and melody, which reminds us their style has been plied over and over, and better, before. In contrast, "Why Not Take Your Time" lays the atmosphere on thick, emerges from its funk in spite of itself, and is a superb closer. "Too Bright" is vivacious acoustic blues, "Dreams of You and Me" floats above harpsichord like keys and flutes to deliver one of the more purely prog moments, and "Like it was Yesterday" merges spooky vocals with spirited guitars and synths. "Everyone Knows" is a more driving piece with fascinating contrasts which also includes a superb searing lead guitar solo.

"Derring Do" is a second good, but not great, album in as many tries by DODSON and FOGG. I continue to hope for more but will also not pass up any opportunities to appreciate what they have to offer.