HEART FULL OF SKY

As usual, this double "limited edition" CD set is a bit too long to make it fully interesting. I guess that the standard edition will do for most of MA fans; but when I see the very limited amount of reviews for this album, I wonder if there are still many out there.

The second CD has to be considered exactly for what it is. A collector item with several good moments. "Open Road" maybe...In this one Heather is sharing the lead vocals. Since she has to share this role in quite a few songs, I can only be pleased to be able to her beautiful voice (same in "Gaze").

This CD is also mellower, folkier than the first one. In some sort it can be considered as a return to the roots. "Broken Soldier" perfectly fits in this perspective : a soft ballad with a great guitar finale. I guess you know the story...My favourite track of this bonus CD is "Further From Home". A great track fully dominated by a superb guitar solo. I really like this guy, even if the influence of Gilmour is obvious and at times irritating for some of you. The last section contains some beautiful vocals (both leading and backings). It is actually another interpretation of "Fading Colours" (in terms of vocals). Just great.

""Fading Colours" opens the standard CD version brilliantly. It is definitely in-line with their best work. Do not search any further to find the best song of the album. Wonderful vocal harmonies like we are used to. And after this, the listener will have the joy to discover "Half A World". Another typical MA number with again a fabulous guitar solo. How much I like these guitar moments. So emotional... Thank you Josh.

"Pocket Watch" is a bit less catchy but "Blue Light" brings us back to the marvelous voice of Heather. It is the soft side of the band which is featured here but the melody is so pleasant... This song is of course punctuated with a brilliant guitar break. But this is no surprise, right ?

"Walk With A Storm" is purely folkish oriented. Splendid violin during an energetic finale. A classic MA song. Another one. Same feeling for "Find The Sun". Soft-rock with sweet and tranquil violin. A bit mellowish to be honest. It is all the contrary for "Ghost". After a weird intro sung by Josh, the wonderful chorus comes at the rescue (thanks Heather). What a pity that the whole of this track is so unbalanced !

"Broken" is not a very song. Press next to get to "Silver Glass". As usual, MA will place almost the longest numbers at the end of the album. But these ones won't be to remember.

This album is decent follow-up to "Storms Over Still Waters" (my MA fave). The second part of the standard release is somewhat weaker. They could have released a very good one CD effort if they had picked up the best tracks of CD 2 and replace some of the numbers to be found on their one CD release (sounds a bit complicated, right ?). I really look forward to go and see them next December (Spirit of 66, of course).

Three stars.