SOLAR FIRE

This is one of those bands that completely bypassed me in the 1970s when I devoured everything I could find. I'm not even sure the record was released in New Zealand. I did, however, get a copy of 'The Roaring Silence' in 1976, and didn't think much of it.

Encouraged by positive reviews I obtained a copy of this album. I needn't have bothered: it doesn't do much for me.

It's not bad, exactly, just bland. Listening to this is like eating toast at a restaurant while watching fellow diners tucking in to full meals. To give you some idea, the best track on the album (in my opinion) is the poppy 'Joybringer', a fine track that serves as a logical progression from MANFRED MANN'S britpop of the 1960s. The progressive numbers are turgid and devoid of power, none more so than the overlong opener 'Father of Day, Father of Night.' The album might have been worth noting in the late 1960s, but by 1973 it had been left behind. Think of what other progressive bands were doing at this time! This album does not in any way measure up to the giants of 1973.

MANFRED MANN'S EARTH BAND would go on to carve out a minor place for themselves in the mid-'70s with a better vocalist and much better material. The fact that their latter success came on the back of cover material should tell you something about the standard of their original songs, including these ones. Save your pennies unless you really do want to hear everything in the golden era of progressive rock.