DAWN EXPLOSION

I think this album deserves better than the very average review it is typically given in most cases. One of the problems with successive albums released by groups which had an initial stellar album is that everyone typically compares the successive releases to the first release. While Captain Beyond's first album was indeed extraordinary, and while this album isn't of quite the same caliber, it is nevertheless an excellent musical effort and worthy of any serious collection of progressive rock. The songwriting is very fine, the instrumentals first class, the vocals by Willie Daffern (while notably different from Rod Evans excellent efforts) are really very good. There are really no weak tracks and if one compares to efforts by other groups -- even to efforts by outstanding musicians like Robin Trower -- this album comes out smelling very nicely indeed. I think if one gives it several listens, most open-minded folk will become reasonably fond of it, and possibly outright enthusiastic about it.