LONG DISTANCE VOYAGER

A nice little album. A perfect example of a transition period for an "average" prog rock band from the heyday (70's) to the synth-pop decade (80's). The only other example of such transition (transition, but done so smoothly!) is TULL's "A" album. However, this one is less electronic and more neo-proggy, even with some traces of disco.

The album is good. All the songs are good, some better, some worse, but none of them a missed idea. Perhaps "In my World" is the best, slow-paced, meditative and pleasant. "22,000" days being a close second, with nice vocal harmonies. "Talking Out Of Turn" being a disco tune, more old-fashioned disco than a synth pop, but of good quality and, what's important, of good songwriting if you're into that kind of things.

As I said, all the song are good, I'm enjoying them all really...I will just point out two more: "Painted Smile" - which sounds like a sympho version of some Lisa Minelli's Cabaret tune, or some old-fashioned style rag from QUEEN's "A Day At The Races", or perhaps even (that might be the closest relation, both chronologically and, well, conceptually) like "The Trial" from the PINK FLOYD's "The Wall". Well, you get the picture. "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" proves that band members are veteran cosmic rockers indeed: a nice grand finale, and yes it's pretentious. Not on pare with the similar things done in the 70's (it sounds just a bit sterile and too edited) but nice job done.

Would you believe it, this album was my first contact with THE MOODY BLUES. This is encouraging me to check all of the sixties and seventies period, because I like it.