PURE

The last release by Pendragon I reviewed was Not of this world. The successor Believe I owe for quite some time now, I have a rating for it but it's very hard for me to review it. The reasons I will explain in the review for that one which I will do before long. The same is actually the case for this latest, Pure. But I cannot drag it on forever, I will have to reveal the reasons and unfold my personal mystery about the two latest albums.

Problem is that I have extreme mixed feelings about both but from now on I will confine to this album. First my dislikes and those are mainly my being fed up with the change in style of compositions and performance of Pendragon compared to the nineties era. I mean I don't know if the band (Nick) finally capitulated for the often heard criticism that the three successors of The World were all just copies of that album. I already said it in my review of NotW that I disagree with that, the 3 albums were different enough for me, I think they even got better and better since 1991. But no, the ciricasters had to keep hammering the band with this debatable fact so long until Nick probably must have thought: okay, I've had enough. I will do something different now. Too bad because all there's left for me and all the other fans of the Pendragon of the nineties (and I'm sure those are sufficiently there) are memories. Because that Pendragon is no longer there.

Having said that, I must admit they have returned to the former style slightly with this album, there are some very nice moments especially with the first and last tracks and also occasionally with the middle tracks but you have to sit out all the rest (metal riffs and strange vocal sounds etc) as well before enjoying those (scarce) moments.

I wonder what the mentioned criticasters will say now, now Pendragon have made changes in style and are innovating and more progressive, blablabla. They will have their way and the least they can do is appreciate Pendragon for it because if they don't there is nothing left and it will all be in vain.

4 stars for this album but it's rounded up and due to hope for the future which I hope will bring back the great compositions (Man of Nomadic Traits) and the great instrumental performances.