SECRETS OF THE RISING SUN

I love the fact that the two reviews of this album, posted thus far, are certainly contrasting! Mental_Hygiene struggles to like the album while FredStock is a confirmed VC fan. For me, this album has only come to my attention as a result of a post on the Big Big Train fb page. There are lots of suggestions of bands and albums to try out on such pages - I'm really, really glad I followed this one up!

I'm not about to launch into a track-by-track breakdown of this album but simply say that it really chimes with me personally. The blurb at the top of the VC page cites influences such a Pink Floyd and Marillion. Well, this album has a definite Camel flavour and Paul Davies's soaring guitar has unmistakable leanings towards the wonderful Andy Latimer. I count that as a compliment! The fact that Paul takes on the entire burden of playing and singing everything on this album would suggest to me that it might be a bit narrow - not a bit of it! I was hooked the first time I heard the album (not a common experience!) and was amazed to find that it was the work of a single musician, excepting the addition of Alex Micklewhite on drums, with Gemma Davies handling some of the vocals.

Whilst the guitar work is sublime on this album, there's a completeness to the work that keeps me coming back to it again and again. Wonderfully, in this world of music streaming (where the artist generally receives a pittance for their inspiration) we are able to "try-before-you-buy", and I would encourage all lovers of Camel, as well as bands on the neo-prog genre, to try this album. I'd be surprised if you were disappointed!