STORMS OVER STILL WATER

It's hard not to give this album 4 stars when you hear those three longest songs that play one after another late on the record. "Candle To The Sky" , "Carpe Diem" and "Storms Over Still Waters" are all so good. Unfortunately the other 8 shorter tracks aren't even close to being on the same level. A shame really because this could have been as good as "The Last Bright Light".

"Out Of The Green Sky" sounds excellent when it kicks in. Bryan comes in vocally after a minute followed by Heather. A pretty good opener. "Broken Glass" opens with synths and pounding drums before it settles quickly as Bryan comes in vocally. It's fuller as contrasts continue. "Ghosts In Dreamland" opens with synths and drums as bass then piano joins in. Heather comes in vocally before a minute as it settles. It kicks back in as contrasts continue. Nice guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. "Heart Life" opens with acoustic guitar as flute joins in. Heather (vocals) follows as this song continues to settle and kick in throughout. Some good organ too. Check out the guitar 5 minutes in to end it. "The End Of The World" opens with acoustic guitar and Heather's vocals. Bryan both vocally and with guitar before 1 1/2 minutes as the sound gets fuller (including drums). Contrasts continue here as well.

"Black Rain" opens with some nice raw guitar as organ and drums join in. Heather comes in. Some killer guitar after 2 1/2 minutes. "Coming Too..." opens with percussion and other intricate sounds. Cool intro before it kicks in around a minute and gets even better. "Candle To The Sky" opens with acoustic guitar and reserved male vocals,drums join in. I'm reminded of FLOYD when the backing vocals come in. I like when the organ joins in as it gets fuller. It settles before 5 1/2 minutes with some Gilmour-like guitar. A gorgeous section right to the end. "Carpe Diem" opens with piano as Troy from IONA comes in with uillian pipes. Heather follows with piano only. It turns darker after 3 1/2 minutes then the guitar joins in and it's so impressive with Heather's vocal melodies helping out. Great tune. "Storms Over Still Waters" opens with intricate guitar as the wind blows. Synths come in then Heather before a minute. Bryan comes in vocally after 3 1/2 minutes as the sound changes. Some fantastic guitar follows. It settles after 7 minutes with some PORCUPINE TREE-like synths. "Tomorrow" is the closing instrumental. Drums and heavy guitar here before the synths and a full sound kicks in.

As I said earlier the way this album ends it seems silly to consider anything less than 4 stars, but overall I have to give 3.5 stars.