THE SPIRIT OF AUTUMN PAST

This is MOSTLY AUTUMN's second album released in 1999. The Prog-Folk and Celtic side of them really stands out on this album, and they even have IONA's Troy Donockley guesting on one track with his Uilleann Pipes.

"Winter Mountains" opens with the wind blowing as drums come in and build. A full sound a minute in. Dual vocals follow. A calm after 3 minutes but it's brief although quite effective because when it kicks back in it sounds great. Excellent opening track. "This Great Blue Pearl" features some organ early then it settles right down with dual vocals. Contrasts continue. It's an okay tune. "Pieces Of Love" is pastoral early as reserved female vocals join in. Violin after 2 1/ 2 minutes. "Please" opens with synths and reserved male vocals. Drums and a fuller sound 1 1/2 minutes in as it turns into a pretty good song. "Evergreen" is also pastoral to start this time with reserved female vocals. It's fuller before 2 1/2 minutes. A soaring guitar solo before 4 1/2 minutes and also after 6 minutes. He lights it up a minute later.

"Styhead Tam" opens with drums and it gradually gets fuller. "Shindig" is just that, it sounds like a jig. Some flute on this one. "Blakey Ridge / When The Waters Meet" still sounds like a jig until the second section comes in. "Underneath The Ice" is mellow with acoustic guitar and dual vocals. It's fuller after 2 minutes though. "Through The Windows" features violin, strummed guitar and reserved vocals. Kind of Folky. "The Spirit Of Autumn Past (Part I)" has these sparse keyboards then guitar. A reflective tune. "Spirit Of Autumn Past (Part II)" is my favourite track on here. Reserved male vocals as the beat and sound builds. It kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes and contrasts continue. Violin before 4 minutes and guitar late. "The Gap Is Too Wide" is another good one that sounds quite epic at times. Troy offers up his Pipe solo here late.

An enjoyable album that is as I mentioned earlier more on the Folk side of things.