HEART FULL OF SKY

First of all I can't understand the logic behind a double release. Do they want to let people save money by putting the worst tracks on an optional second CD? Do they think that only the hard fans have the right to listen to all their material (the double CD edition was available only if pre-ordered on the MA website)? However I had a lot of expectations for this album, the first double Mostly Autumn and the first after the change of musical direction represented by "Storm Over Still Waters".

Well the first impact was quite disappointing. They didn't impress me at the first shot, something that happened with almost all the previous studio albums, including the non- essential "Lord of the Rings", but at the second try I realized that the songs have found their alternative way. I mean that it was like I had listened to it as much as to the previous albums.

Strange, isn't it? It's like I have perceived the songs at subliminal level, or maybe the songs have elements so common in the 70s prog that it's like I have ever known them.

The "regular" CD is opened by "Fading Colours". The guitar is heavy and this time Gilmour seems to have been forgotten, but the melody is strong and Heather is sublime as usual. Not too different from its predecessor, and now, after years, I can't say immediately if this song is here or in another album as it's a standard MA song.

"Half A Word" starts acoustic with the album title as first sentence.I think it's the best song of both the discs, with connections to Pink Floyd and to Renaissance and a strong early 70s flavor.

I don't like much "Pocket Watch", instead. Not that's totally bad, but it's the kind of Bryan Josh stuff that I like less even if I have to say that's probably the song more similar to David Gilmour that he has written, also in the vocal part. Try to imagine Sir David singing, at least until the chorus, that's the part of the song that I prefer.

"Blue Light" is only an omonimy. It's a slow and dreamy song more in the vein of Sally Oldfield, nothing to do with the orchestral funky of "About Face".

"Walk With A Storm" starts dark, like it was taken from The Wall, but is also very melodic and the vocal duet between Bryan and Heather here works very well. It's another jump back to the 70s.

"Find The Sun" features a guest violin and classic guitar. A temporary return to the origins, as this song could fit well in their debut "For All We Shared".

"Ghost" starts dark but turns immediately into a sort of chorus based on major chords. As often happens Heather sings the chorus and the rest is sung by Bryan. I think that the mood of the chorus is too different from the rest of the song, like they are two different songs tied together.

"Broken" is a long piano/vocals song like some Renaissance's ("At The Harbour" to mention one). A good song well tailored for Heather.

"Silver Glass" Starts like a follow-up of "Broken". One of the most floydian moments of the album until Chris Johnson's voice. She has a very nice voice but I don't understand why using another female vocalist when you have Heather Findlay in the band... Another slow-dreamy-70s song.

"Dreaming" belongs to the rock side of Bryan Josh that's as I have written before the side that I like less, however the song is quite hypnotic and the chorus is one of those which remain into your mind even after hours.

About the second CD I had the opportunity to listen to it when borrowed from a friend, but I don't remember it as much as it's needed for a review. I've been impressed by the first track, "Science and Machinery" because it's different from the usual MA songs, and I remember to have appreciated a lot "Gaze". However let's ignore the "Limited Edition". Sticking on the first CD it's more than just good, specially because of the early 70s thing, but not enough to be considered an absolute "excellent addition"

3.5 stars more or less.