GHOSTS

An overlooked classic by the band. Their sound may have been streamlined a tad for the US audience but they retain their more harder-edged progressive side that was showcased on 'Hero and Heroine'. Harpsicord abounds on this disc with Hawkins excellent Mellotron work also popping up all over. The title song and 'The Life Auction' keep the Strawbs firmly entrenched in the prog circle. In fact, 'The Life Auction' could be their most progressive song ever; powerfully bombastic, it is for me if not thee best at least one of their best. They do stay somewhat close to their folk roots although more on the dark and gothic side with "You and I (When We Were Young)" with a hauntingly moody beginning and ending. There's an orchestrated end song in the beautiful 'Grace Darling' and more of their peppy rocking songs, 'Lemon Pie' which is accutely spirited and "Starshine/Angel Wine" which starts out overtly mellow then slowly builds to a scorching rocker. The only burp would be the hoaky "Where Do You Go..." and the somewhat ordinary "Don't Try To Change Me" The bonus track, "Changes Arrange" is a clever rocker with nice harpsicord playing, very welcome indeed. Most songs on this disc are as good or even better then the awesome "Hero and Heroine", so if you enjoyed the one, you would be doing yourself a favor by picking this one up. Their last true prog album. 4 stars!