THERE IN THE SHADOWS

3.5 stars. I actually like this album a lot. Their sound reminds me somewhat of the style of fellow Americans ENCHANT, I just wished they kept it on the heavier side like they do on the stand out track "Renfield". At 65 minutes they really could have trimmed down a couple of songs and this album would have been even better.

Vocals and guitar stand out early on the opening track "Holy War". It settles 2 1/2 minutes in with reserved vocals and keyboards. Not for long though. I like the guitar solo before 4 minutes and later around 5 1/2 minutes. "Junk Drawer" is mostly acoustic guitar and reserved vocals. Drums and bass arrive before 2 minutes. This is one of those songs that goes on for too long. "Renfield" is heavy to open then synths take over. A change after a minute as it becomes more urgent sounding. It kicks in at 2 minutes. Nice. Contrasts continue. Just a great sounding tune here.

"Don't Ruin The Memory" is mellow as vocals join in. Keys too. I really like the pulsating organ ala Banks that comes and goes. Good tune. "Soul Windows" opens with RUSH-like synths before it kicks in around a minute. This reminds me of ENCHANT. It settles with keys before 3 1/2 minutes then the guitar returns before 4 minutes. "Change My Mind" opens with prominant bass and guitar before the vocals arrive in this laid back soundscape. Like "Junk Drawer" this goes on for too long. "Existential Crisis" opens with spoken words before a Hendrix-like guitar melody takes over. A change before 3 minutes as a nice lazy guitar melody comes in, this continues until before 6 1/2 minutes. Organ then comes in then strummed guitar. The tempo picks up and vocals come in after 7 1/2 minutes. Check out the bass 9 minutes in as the sound gets heavier to the end. "Wayfarer" opens with guitar riffs as keyboards and drums join in.Vocals follow. Not a bad tune.

Lots to like here, it's too bad they broke up after this one. Worth checking out.