Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Wishbone Ash - Illuminations CD (album) cover

ILLUMINATIONS

Wishbone Ash

 

Prog Related

3.69 | 78 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
3 stars I was expecting a bit more from this album. After all, the band has had some five years to prepare it and the raving reviews were rather encouraging.

What I feel about this work is that there is of course an improvement in comparison with the six previous albums (the last good one IMHHO was "No Smoke Without Fire" in ?1978). Still, the main obedience is straight rock. A highlight with fine vocals ("Top Of The World") and here and there some fine twin guitar work with "No Joke".

The FM / AOR format of "On Your Own" is bringing us back to some of their lesser days.

The best moment from this album is without doubt the long "Tales Of The Wise". It is a return to the very early days, when the band released some excellent and long songs. All the ingredients are again present here. More than anything, some superb guitar work of course. It shifts the album from a decent to a good work in my perception.

Another aspect of this album resides in its length. Even if "Another Time" is still a pleasant song the remaining ones are not on par. There is a definite "Yes" feel during the average "A Thousand Years". The last five songs are nothing else than AOR / mainstream rock music with little inspiration ("Comfort Zone" being the weakest one).

The fine and instrumental bonus track offers some good acoustic guitar parts (à la Howe / Hackett). My feeling is rather mixed about this work. Some excellent numbers (two) combined with average songs. Three stars.

ZowieZiggy | 3/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this WISHBONE ASH review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.