FAIRYPORT

Fairyport was the first album with which Wigwam realised their potential to create a truly INSANE progressive album. The organ of Gustavson is heavily to the front, especially on tracks like Losing Hold and Fairyport which are veritable orgies of destruction, matched all the way by Pohjola's hyperactive bass lines. There is also a jazz element to this album with the music often branches out into lengthy, jazzy piano improvisations (also courtesy of Gustavson) and Pohjola contributes two Zappa influenced instrumentals. Pembroke is not as dominant a songwriter on this as on their previous album (Tombstone Valentine) although he does contribute a handful of songs split between ballads eg Lost Without a trace and Losing Hold and humourous songs eg How to Make it Big in Hospital and Rockin' Ol' Galway which provide light relief from Gustavson's meanderings and convoluted lyrics. The original final track, Rave up for the Roadies and cd bonus track Losing Hold/Finlandia demonstrate the band in a live context but the recording quality of these is not quite up to scratch and they don't add a great deal to the album

Definitely recommended then, great musicianship and vocals (although Gustavson's style might be considered an acquired taste) but somewhat lacking in focus.