PASSENGERS

This is definitely another Mostly Autumn featured here. More commercial like in "Something In Between" and harder than never like in "Pure White Light". I would say that I do not really dislike this new orientation. In previous efforts, I often had the feeling that their numbers were too long and a bit dull at times.

Of course, the Floydian sound is less present on this work, although "Another Life" features again a great Gilmouresque solo and is really a beautiful song. We'll be switched back to their celtic roots with "Bitterness Burnt", a true folk song in MA tradition. What immediately strikes the minds, is the format of their songs. While they were mostly long ones before (except on "LOTR"), what we'll get here are rather short songs. As if they were looking to write radio format music.

"Caught In A Fold" is again on the harder edge. At least I can not complain that we risk to feel asleep when listening to MA (like I did for their LOTR "inspired" album). But not falling asleep does not always mean listening to great music. The following number (one the three longer songs) "Simple Ways" is a dull folk ballad. Monotonous like some of their previous work even if Heather shares the vocals. The finale with the strong vocal arrangements will somewhat save the song.

The first guitar notes of "First Thought" reminds me "Run Like Hell". The track will evolve into a very nice and melodic song. Rhythmy and with Heather in great shape. I really like her voice. Full of poetry and so beautiful. Some good guitar work (like who you know, right?).

The title track (the second one clocking over six minutes) is another folk ballad. Almost normally, this average track will be saved (yes, you have guessed correctly) by another great guitar break from David Gilmour, ouuups sorry, from Bryan Josh.

"Distant Train" is a dull instrumental piece for half of it and the poorest one on this album until the traditional guitar part comes to the rescue. Again, a great job. But they should only release half songs if for lots of them, it is the only the interesting part! I made this comment already in my review for "LOTR".

I could make the same comment again for "Answer The Question" with the exception that the finale is keyboard oriented .

The closing number "Pass The Clock" is made of three movements. Each one pretty easy to identify and being almost another song. It started all mellow during the first one (almost three minutes), then furiously rock for the second one. Keys are really powerful and rhythm is fantastic. Reminds me the good old Kansas days with the violin play during the quieter and instrumental section. The last portion of this part being very, very quiet. At this time, I can not consider this as one and single track any longer.

Too many parts that does not fit well to make a whole. The last section will have exactly the same characteristics : changing at least three times from mood (but reminding some of the early ones, do you still follow me?).

This album still holds some Floydian flavour of course, but probably less than in earlier work. On the contrary of their previous releases (except on "LOTR" ,again) there won't be any great songs featured on this one. Nothing such as "We Come & Go", "Heroes Never Die" or "The Gap Is Too Wide" for instance. Just a collection of average to good songs. Of course none is poor; but this is not sufficent to make a very good album. The essence of the band is still there : very nice vocal harmonies and great musicianship (especially the lead guitar of course).

Newcomers should not start with this album. The reference for them should be the fantastic double CD compilation "Catch The Spirit". All in all a decent and diversified album. Three stars.