VICTIMS OF CIRCUMSTANCE

Let's put things into prespective. I discovered BJH in 1974. I have been quite found of this band for about three years (back then). What I appreciated in their music were the incredible melodies, the great mellotron touch from Woolly and their ability to create great and emotional songs.

The last BJH albums did not really fulfill my expectations (to say the least). I just rated their last three efforts with one star. I could not be involved in their poor pop/folkish/boring stuff. Unfortunately, this album won't be anything superior. Just a collection of boring songs.

At least, BJH would release one or two (maybe three) average songs during the last seven years (after their last great album "Octoberon"). But on this one there is really nothing to be remembered. It is a very dull album. Not too long, for the sake of the reviewer...

It is impossible for me to mention at least one track that could be of interest. This is just a painful nightmare from track one through nine. Well, to be completely honest, a song like "For Your Life" could have been not that bad. But boy, it is completely ruined by the "orchestra" (a flavour of their early days) which will take on the lead during the second half of the song.

The title track is no less irritating / boring. Completely insipid and useless. This band is really a case apart. They will release almosy FORTY live / compilation / DVD's out of fifteen or so original albums. They only should have call it quit a few years ago to avoid these painful moments.

We'll even get a reaggae-ish song with "Watching You". Can you imagine BJH sounding reggae ? Awful. Period. Only the closing track will hit a little higher (but don't except too much).

This album is the worse BJH so far. It is a real bad experience to listen to this one from start to finish. One star (but this is really because no lower ratings are available).