TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION

To be truthful, I've always viewed the APP as something like "prog lite" when compared to contemporaries like Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, etc., but this album is a bit of a gem in that it's mostly pop prog with a quasi concept. And who doesn't appreciate Mr. Poe, his spooky poems and the myriad of horror flicks staring the one and only Vincent Price?

The musical template of the APP is very much in place on Tales Of Mystery, and not too dissimilar to the radio hits that would follow this album. However, this album is put together with so much love that it simply outshines all others in the group's future output. That a pop group like Pilot can be employed to make such engaging music along with pop singers like Terry Sylvester (of the Hollies!) is quite an eye opener. But the songs still a have to be substantial in order to shine and that they do. "The Raven", "The Tell- Tale Heart", "The Cask Of Amontillado" and "(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether", in particular, work well without being pretentious. The eerily symphonic 5 part suite that makes up the instrumental "The Fall Of The House Of Usher" really sells the somber concept of this album and is the album's highlight.

The bottom line is that Tales Of Mystery And Imagination, if not particularly earth shattering prog rock, is a fun and engaging listen, just the way music should be. 4 stars.