WAITING...

3.5 stars. I've seen at least ten bands with the name MADRIGAL but this one is from Spokane, Washington and they released two studio albums about 10 years apart. They formed in 1977 and this is their debut over 10 years later. Drummer Kevin Dodson is the leader here and only original member left I believe. Some unusual sounds from this one with a lot of guests helping out. Banjo, toy drum set, guitar synth to name a few. Different vocalists and they are all okay. I think of this band as more Eclectic than Crossover but whatever.

Side one is called "Day" and side two "Night". The opener "Sister Happy" reminds me of a cross between GENTE GIANT and GENESIS and it's quite good if not that original sounding. There's really only one track that I'm all in on and that's "Experience". Right from the first listen my thoughts were "This is much better sounding" especially with the upfront guitar to start but the keyboards take over quickly. Guitar comes and goes. Complex stuff here and I like the instrumental break at 3 1/2 minutes. The closer is usually one of the better tracks but it's the worse one here. A Ragtime special and yes the perfect name for that style of music. And no I'm not big on acoustic piano and we get plenty on this album.

This was a tough one to rate because they clearly were very proggy and talented but my ratings reflect the fan in me not the critic. I agree with Bogdan on the 3.5 stars. And I really don't like the cover art(haha).