UNIVERSAL RADIO

This first album by Dragon will be unrecognisable in sound to those who primarily know the band from their later poppier incarnation. The sound is reminiscent of the earliest days of British prog, organ-dominated, strongly psych-flavoured. not yet overly complex, sometimes (as on the title track, "Going Slow" and "Avalanche") owing more to the psych-period Beatles than anything more overtly proggy, with low-key vocals reminiscent of Pink Floyd, while the more overtly proggy moments are closer to, say, Cressida or Rare Bird.

The star of the show is keyboard player Ivan Thompson, whose neoclassical style gives interest to even the least progressive material. Todd Hunter's wandering bass style is also a major factor. The weakest link would be guitarist Ray Goodwin - there are few guitar solos, even fewer that are memorable. Marc Hunter's personality does not yet come through very strongly on this album, except on "Going Slow" where he seems to be almost daring the listener to hate him.

The standout track is "Patina", the most symphonic track, reminiscent of those bands mentioned just above (with a trace of early Camel as well), with a lengthy, complex layered arrangement with multiple changes of pace. "Graves" is also a highlight The weirdest track is undoubtedly "Weetbix" - what the hell were those lyrics?