SHIBBOLETH

3.5 stars. For me this is on a par with "Argot", and other than the new female vocalist it's pretty similar in style.The debut "Head" is still my favourite, it's more dynamic and exciting than "Argot" or "Shibboleth".Those latter two recordings really are more about the compositions and band play than solos and individual play. And that's what's kept me from giving them both 4 stars, as they really seem to meander along most of the time with little in the way of outbreaks. Still this is very well played and quite enjoyable. You might even say that the second and third efforts from this band are more mature than the debut, no wonder I prefer the first one.

"The Picture Slave" builds to a full sound with some excellent bass and guitar while drums pound. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. The vocals I think are a slight improvement over the previous male singer, but not much better in my opinion. The guitar is prominant before 2 1/2 minutes as mellotron then floods the scene. Piano with bass 4 minutes in followed by more guitar. "De Profundis" opens with piano as guitar comes in making some noise, followed by drums. Mellotron 1 1/2 minutes in, followed by vocals then more guitar. Sounds like flute 6 minutes in. Some aggressive guitar 8 1/2 minutes in and the mellotron a minute later is fantastic as flute joins in. These themes keep coming back. This is probably my favourite track.

"Cardinal Red" is more uptempo with vocals. I like the guitar / organ section 3 minutes in. Lots of synths a minute later. "Spiral Bound" is ballad-like with piano, reserved vocals and strummed guitar later. "Chovihani Rise" is the 24 minute epic. I like this one a lot. It builds as different instruments are added to the sound. Tasteful guitar 6 minutes in. Pleasant vocals and pleasant guitar, yes it's all really pleasant. Oh wait a minute, a change 12 minutes in to a more aggressive sound. I like the guitar a lot 16 1/2 minutes in. Another change 18 minutes in as we get back to the pleasant sounds. Although there is some minor riffing around 21 1/2 minutes. "Surface Tension" has some great organ play in it early. A calm with vocals 3 1/2 minutes in. A full sound returns as contrast continues. The organ is back 6 minutes in. Guitar and piano are both prominant the rest of the way.

Good but not great.