EGG

Egg is a labeled a Canterbury band, but in all honesty they sound more Psych/Symphonic on this disc. Their sound is influenced by the classical prog of The Nice with a dash of early ELP. What probably might tip them in the Canterbury side of things is the silly song titles and the funny lyrics. They have moments that sound like the poppy side of Caravan, ('While Growing My Hair", "I Will Be Absorbed"). What stands out is the play of Dave Stewart. He brings out many sounds from his small collection of keyboards, and to think he and the boys in the band have yet to reach 20 years of age! Being young and ambitious, they tackle classical music, ("Fugue In D Major" for instance) and for the most of side two a bit of advant garde/classical prog with numerous odd sounds and bizarre turns. What might turn some people off are the flat-like vocals of Mont Campbell. Having a throaty voice, it works at times with the slower songs but when he needs to pick it up a tad especially during "The Song of McGillicudie The Pusillanimous...." his howls are Arthur Brown bad. But that's a minor quibble. It's a fun album, very much of it's time. A bit of psych, a bit of symph, a bit of advant garde and a bit of classical. Just not what you'd expect from a Canterbury band. I really enjoy the album, it's not a bad album at all, it just doesn't compare to other bands that warrant 4 stars, so I'll give it a solid 3. Well done, though!