THE PRINCE OF HEAVEN'S EYES

"The Prince of Heaven's Eyes" is the 3rd full-length studio album by Belfast, Northern Ireland based progressive rock act Fruupp. The album was released through Dawn Records in November 1974. It´s the successor to "Seven Secrets" from April 1974 and features the same quartet lineup who recorded the predecessor.

Stylistically the material on "The Prince of Heaven's Eyes" pretty much continue the symphonic progressive rock style of the two preceding album releases. It´s inherently British sounding music and valid references are artists like Genesis, Beggar´s Opera and Greenslade. Fruupp don´t stand out much on the scene though and the quality of their compositions are also pretty standard for the genre. It´s pleasant, warm, and organic sounding progressive rock with strong melodic touches, vintage synths/keyboards, occasionally harder rocking sections, and a symphonic focus, but ultimately a bit unremarkable. That´s true for both the instrumental part of the music as well as the vocals (which often remind me of Procol Harum but without the same passion and intensity that Gary Brooker are able to deliver).

"The Prince of Heaven's Eyes" features a well sounding, organic 70s production, which suits the material perfectly, and upon conclusion it´s a good quality progressive rock release, but it´s just seldom more than that. If Fruupp had consciously pursued a more original sound and incorporated more unique songwriting ideas and stylistic elements, they could have made a more significant impact, but they opted for a more well known safe path, and therefore "The Prince of Heaven's Eyes" ends up sounding like a second tier UK progressive rock release, which can´t compete with the greats of the genre. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.