MYTHS & LEGENDS

By 1984, prog and wordy pop had given birth to neo prog, so it is perhaps no coincidence that some of its faculties would have permeated the sophomore effort by Osiris. Nonetheless, the band forged its own style, and on "Myths and Legends", they find a more consistent groove. Yet the tracks are less uniform than on the first album, resulting in greater listener attention and pleasure.

The title track is a bold kickoff, including vocoders and lots of fine melodies on guitars and synthesizer. While "Free Like the Wind" features phonetic sounding vocals, it somehow works in a German symphonic way. The lengthy instrumental "Voyage" is one of the best tracks, starting softly and changing moods frequently. There is no virtuosity on display here, merely exuberance and an instinct for harmony and romance in the broadest sense. It ends as it began, reflectively. "Drams of a Jester" is really a soft rock tune with light prog undertones. It's a trifle too sweet, but I believe it broke Osiris into the big time in their own country. My favourite is "Wasted", with its mildly subversive lyrics, sharp rhythm guitar backdrop and a palette of keyboards. It's kind of like CAMEL circa "Moonmadness", with some FM "Black Noise" thrown in.

Because of a couple of weaker closing numbers, I cannot grant legendary status to this effort, but it's a near myth.