RAINDANCE

Raindance was my first experience of Gryphon, having known the band only from hearing them on progressive rock radios. I like the cover sleeve of the album a lot and bought at a prog-rock festival. The album is quite accessible, varying between folk, prog and pop-rock. Due to some light poppy tracks like the cover of "Mother's nature son", parts of "Fontinental song" and Camel-like "Don't say go", this album won't deserve more than 4 stars. The folky parts are represented mainly by the short fourth track, then "Ormolu" and the last folk-prog epic track. The band has become more progressive than folk which may be a welcome change to most progheads. Apart from the use of exotic folk instruments, I particularly adore the vast array of keyboard sounds like clavinet, glockenspiel, organs etc.

Highlights are the second symphonic track "Raindance" that creates great keyboard textures thanks to synths, Moog and organs. Also nice sounds of storm and rains. The instrumental section in "Fontinental version" compensates for the sloppy poppy part. Keyboard sections are excellent but acoustic guitars are well arranged, too. "Wallbanger" is a nice marching song but not too original apart from nice clavinet playing in the end. "(Ein Klein) Heldenleben" is a definite highlight with grandiose motives and all instruments being folky and epic. Look how a complex epic can be composed without having to be virtuoso. There are so many instruments and various ideas that it may sound incoherent - however you simply have to give it numerous listens. Keyboards, guitar and flute are at the top of their game. Only Gryphon can craft such original epic based on folk and progressive elements.