SOLAR FIRE

This is another very emotional review for me. I discovered this album at the time of release. I was totally alien to the band but thanks to a laudatory review from "Piero" in a weekly Belgian magazine (Télémoustique"), I just purchased the record and loved it at firs sight (thanks Piero).

The numbers of spins for the great "Father Of Days, Father Of Night" ? Countless, my dear friends. A gorgeous song, some superb guitar work, great keyboards parts. This is the type of covers that really shines (like "America" from "Yes" or "ROB" from "ELO"). I can't have enough of this great song. The proggiest of the band so far (but they haven't produced a lot of those so far).

Some very good psychedelia is displayed during "In The Beginning, Darkness" (with the recurrent concept of "Solar Fire" sung by the backings). The mood is really excellent, as is the drumming. Can the band pursue on that level ? Even if "Pluto The Dog" is not of the same level, the hypnotic rhythm and the barks are not too bad.

B-side of the original album (yes, I am that old), opens on another great song. The title track features some great and powerful interplays (bass, drum, keys). There are some excellent backing vocals as well. But the central part of this song holds a wonderful guitar part. Spacey, psyche, hard : this great song has it all.

The enjoyment goes on with a great instrumental song. Is it necessary to tell that the guitar work is absolutely FABULOUS ? I guess not. Great middle part fully Floydian and hectic. I guess that I like this kind of experimentation. The last section is again a great voyage into some harder sounds. Spacey, psyche, and hardy (you might have read this already). What a great trilogy! Another highlight of this extraordinary album.

The closing "The Circle" might not be on par, but it is a very relaxing part. In two. parts. Not my fave here but this album is so linked with my teens that I will emotionally raise it to the five stars level (although nine out of ten would be more appropriate).

A great album. Out of a great era. Do listen to this one. You will just do yourself a favour, believe me.