THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS

After the fine return of Winwood (and the band) with the brilliant John Barleycorn, Low Spark changes in a more commercial way, a little more simple style. Here begins to appear those typical long-lenght (and a little bit boring) tracks from this 70's new Traffic. Not as his predeccessor, Low Spark isn't under a concept (well, under a very subtle concept), so it's not a regular album; there are very good tracks, such the opening and the two last tracks, but the other half, Rock & Roll Stew is the definitive lowlight of the disc, and Capaldi's Light Up..., is interesting for a while, but no more. I have a problem with Traffic's over 10-minutes songs. The self-tittled track, as RollRight Stones (see my review from Shoot Out) and Dream Gerrard from When The Eagle Flies, tends to ramble, but with more fine moments than his successors long-lenght tracks. I think a long piece must not ramble, it must be always changing to be more delightful and interesting and not to bore to the listener... Traffic's long songs (over 10 minutes) aren't, certainly, the highlights of their respectives CD, and aren't the best Traffic's virtue either. If you are looking for good long pieces, you better check out albums from bands like Focus, Yes, Jethro Tull or King Crimson... even any simphonic prog band!

However, this album isn't far from the fifth star. Hidden Treasure is a superb song and, in general, this is a good addition to your prog catalog and, of course, an essential Traffic's album.