THE SENTINEL

The Sentinal has a good idea at the heart of it. An idea, which upon execution falls over more than it stands up, unfortunatly. This concept album, about the rise and fall of Atlantis, was the second effort by the Scotts proggers. The album is produced by Eddie Offord - of Yes production fame - and is adorned in splendid, albeit rather Yessy artwork. I first purchased this on vinyl back in 1984, and I have to say that although I was blown away by it at the time, I had not heard much of the bands that had clearly inspired Pallas. Bands who were, without a doubt much better than them! Nevertheless, The Sentinal gave me enormous pleasure at the time. I loved the idea of concept albums, and long epic tracks full of emotion, and intricate musicianship. Pallas hit the spot on these accounts, but my re-appraisal of this potentially brilliant album, is that there is just a little too much cheese and overblown gospel emotion for me to take it seriously these days. I was dissapointed, also by the re-mastering of the CD. It sounds like the drums are being played in an empty subway; all reverb, and biggness, none of the dry bite that they had on the vinyl. I also hate it when the running order is changed. Arrive Alive used to open the vinyl album - probably the best track on the album for me. On this CD the opener is 'Shock treatment' which reaks of eurovision pop/rock, but does have some good dramtic moments in between the verses and choruses. There is no doubting the skill of Pallas as musicians, and this album holds some great memories for me of a good time for music. Hi-lights are 'Arrive Alive' 'Cut and Run' 'Ark of Infinity' Low points are 'Shock treatment' and the closing section of 'Atlantis' which leaves one not knowing whether to laugh or cry, with its gospel wailings, calling for the world to join hands as one. Nice sentiment, but if I'd wanted this I would have probably gone out and brought something diabolical by some American 80's soul diva.