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Twelfth Night - Fact And Fiction CD (album) cover

FACT AND FICTION

Twelfth Night

 

Neo-Prog

4.02 | 179 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars TWELFTH NIGHT were one of the first Neo-Prog bands to come upon the scene in the early eighties.They were there even before MARILLION. I feel TWELFTH NIGHT deserves a special place in Prog history for their music, especially this album "Fact And Fiction". Singer Geoff Mann reminds me so much of Peter Hammill, not in thier vocal tones but in their passion and theatrics. Lyrically Mann was also brilliant like Mr.Hammill. Intelligent, meaningful and often going straight to a persons conscience or heart. These songs had special meaning, even if the music at times sounded "New Wave" or "punkish". This was Neo-Progressive music that wasn't slick or smooth. This had attitude, this got in your face. And Geoff Mann led the way in making sure that you didn't feel too comfortable. He wanted you to look at yourself, to make you feel guilty if you didn't treat your fellow man with respect, dignity and love. He felt so strongly about this that he eventually quit the music business and became a Pastor.

"We Are Sane" opens with synths, high pitched vocals and samples. The song doesn't really start until 2 minutes in. Then it's interupted again by samples and synths. This contrast continues. Lots of humour in this one. The actual song is so infectious. We get some robotic vocals 7 1/2 minutes in. The guitar 9 1/2 minutes in is outstanding. Such a fun, progressive tune. "Human Beings" is such a classic tune once it gets going 2 minutes in. Some nice bass in this one, and I like the piano and calm when he sings "Human being, human being". The guitar before 5 minutes is a treat. It's so uplifting when he sings slowly 6 minutes in. "This City" opens with synths and the sounds of children playing before Mann comes in singing solemnly. His vocals get very passionate. "World Without End" is a short instrumental featuring waves of synths. Gorgeous.

"Fact And Fiction" is a catchy vocal tune with an eighties flavour. It has a spacey ending. "The Poet Sniffs A Flower" is a hilarious title for this instrumental. A nice atmosphere to this one. Synths, acoustic guitar and drums stand out. The tempo picks up 2 minutes in as the sound changes. Guitar a minute later. "Creep Show" is a dark song that is fairly slow paced. Some nice bass in this one. It's really all about the lyrics and the way Geoff delivers them. Check out the guitar, drums and vocals after 10 minutes followed by a beautiful guitar solo. Amazing song. "Love Song" works so well in contrast to what we just heard in "Creep Show". This might be the most beautiful yet convicting song (for me) that i've ever heard. I'd love to just quote the whole song, yet it's Mann's vocals that make this even more meaningful. Even the guitar is emotional before 4 minutes. He sings that "Jealousy is just a parasite, hatred a disease". "Love is an open door". "Respect for human dignity". It ends with "And if it seems that your hoping heart has led you into pain, take a tip from the carpenter, forgive and love again".

Thankyou Geoff Mann. R.I.P. brother.

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

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