VULTRESS

Definitely one for Hammond fans, this one! Led by organist, singer and main songwriter Ray Vanderby, this is an album heavy on the Atomic Rooster, Nice and less bombastic ELP influences. Opening track "Another World" starts off with a pulsating keyboard riff and is a good uptempo opener. This leads us into "No More Heartaches" which starts off sounding like ELP before settling into a heavy plodding rhythm which is very reminiscent of early 1960s underground/prog. "Elephant in my Soup" lightens things up a bit with its "boop boop de boop" backing vocals, sounding a bit like The Nice complete with suspect lyrics ("How he loves the rain like tears from heaven, How he loves the rain more than sliced devon") . "Escape Through the Mews" throws in some electric piano to break things up a bit, although again the lyrics a bit lacking in the correct English department ("Well they might be a millionaire, They might be a thief") . "Return of the Vultress" is the epic 10 minute track here, again showing early ELP influences. It even manages to throw in a short drum solo. "We Are Lemurians" wraps things up (sorry, I don't know what a Lumerian is).

Obviously with a band so heavily based on the Hammond, there will be comparisons with other similar bands such as those already mentioned, but the songs are good as are the performances and the production, which is modern yet retro at the same time, is just right. My main criticism, as with a number of other new bands, is that the vocals lack character. Overall, a very enjoyable CD, highly recommended for Hammond fans!