ROCKS, PEBBLES AND SAND

Clarke is trying a new formula on his first 80's album, adding hard rock elements. You need guitar, bass, drums and suitable vocals. Clarke manages to succeed in three out of four aspects. Songs on the first side have a rocking sound but they are far from full-fledged hard rock convincing spirit. They are grooving and sometimes contain awkward funky beat to it.

The title track is the first highlight with great bass soloing and amiable motive. "Underestimation" has a terrible vocal, quite bad drums but good guitar and progressive rock synths.

Then we turn to the funky side with a more suitable vocal. "We Supply" lets you know that Clarke is now in a much more familiar territory. Bass playing is the best element of it. The long 11-minute suite is the last legendary epic and features the first and third magnificient and intensive fusion sections. In particular, the third section is a dramatic finale full of dynamic moments including terrific drumming. If you hear the second and third section and think that it reminds you of another Clarke work, then pay attention to "Life is just a Game" on "School Days".

Last mixed quality album before Clarke fully immersed in the commercial phase of his career until 1988.