CAPTIVES OF THE WINE DARK SEA

3.5 stars. Well I like this better than "Push & Profit" from their early days but overall this is a little disappointing. Lets just say it's a far cry from "Unfolded Like A Staircase" or "To Shatter All Accord". It's cool to see that Chris Herin plays lead guitar on this album. He's also from Detroit and from the band TILES. The music here though is less dark and less powerful with less mellotron, well you get the picture. It reminds me of modern day VDGG which I have to say I'm not that into other than their "Present" album. Even the vocals aren't as theatrical as this really does come across as a lighter version of their classic stuff. This was mixed by Terry Brown who has worked with TILES a lot.

"The Body Yearns" is my favourite song on here. The piano melodies are really enjoyable on this one, I actually looked forward to this one because of the piano every time I'd play it. It opens with either double tracked vocals or dual vocals with piano. I love when the tempo picks up and the sound turns fuller. The best section of this album though is from before 5 minutes to after 9 minutes where we get a glimpse of their former sound. It's dark with organ and bass and a more powerful sound. More please!

"Life Imitates Art" really reminds me of current VDGG, especially Matthews vocals. It's uptempo with a fairly urgent sounding rhythm to it. I like the organ before 2 1/2 minutes and the drumming before 4 minutes. "S" is a little different with the upfront violin as the drums pound in this 4 minute instrumental. The guitar comes and goes and it settles 2 1/2 minutes in with piano and bass mostly then the guitar comes to the fore after 3 minutes.

"Love Songs" should not be on here period. Sorry but this is commercial crap in my opinion. A light little ditty. "Here There Is No Soul" starts with drums and guitar as vocals arrive just before a minute. Not bad. "The Roaring Game" is the other track besides the opener that I really dig. This is an instrumental and the drums and piano lead much of the time like on the opener. Organ before 2 minutes and some nice guitar late as the organ pulses and drums pound.

"Burn The Fire Upon The Rocks" is the 14 1/2 minute closer and my final top three. This is a good one and as far as I can tell the only song with mellotron on it. It's energetic to start out but settles quickly with guitar. It kicks back in as contrasts continue. I like the organ floating in the background. I believe that's mellotron before 5 1/2 minutes. Vocal melodies before 8 1/2 minutes followed by more mellotron. More of the blessed mellotron before 12 1/2 minutes. Lots of guitar late over the powerful soundscape to end it.

Lots to enjoy here and I look forward to all the opinions that will come about this album. I really feel that "To Shatter All Accord" is their best studio album and "This One's For England" is their best live recording.