KAYAK

I have to say hat this second opus is quite a disappointment in comparison with their very good debut. The music proposed is much lighter, pop oriented. There is no such songs as the great ''Reason For It All'' to be found here.

Mostly a combo of fine and tranquil pop-prog songs with, at times, an interesting keyboards or guitar part. But I was expecting more to be honest.

There is still one great number out of here: the long ''They Get To Know Me''. A superb ''Supertrampish'' song with lots of keys and harmony. If only the band would have signed more of these sort of pieces! The contrast is almost extreme when you compare this composition to the other ones available; fortunately it represents almost 25% of the album.

I can't really understand the whole bunch of enthusiasm of my fellow reviewers for this work. When I listen to ''Serenades'' I just can't find anything prog in here! In my sense, it is just some sort of ''press next'' song. But you know this concept, right?

The more diversified and complex ''Woe & Alas'' with its Gentle Giant orientation is another fine moment from this ''Kayak II''. Melodic vocals and very pleasant keys throughout. Another highlight, by all means.

Some tracks like ''Mireille'' shows a more symphonic side and the second best from this album is definitely the complex ''Trust In The Machine''. Aerial vocals, off-beat drumming, psyche mood and some experimental passages are a great combination. It is by far the least accessible song from this album, but to compare it as ''The Waiting Room'' is quite dary IMO. The closing part is truly moving (mellotron and guitar). It all ends in a maelstrom of sounds which are quite unbelievable while you listen to the weak ''His Master's Noise''.

Fortunately, the two longest tracks (almost forty per cent of the whole album) are really good; this leads me to rate this album with three stars.