PEPPER'S GHOST

Arena produces another superb disc with Pepper's Ghost. The master lyricist/keyboardist/producer wizard Clive Nolan yet again delivers innovation with lyrics about mystery and imagination along with contributing to the Victorian cover art and comic style booklet. Also, the production is spacious but crisp which reveals good detail making for great sound.

The sound is a mix of heavy symphonic rock and progressive rock. Without a doubt, this disc contains the heaviest music of all of their studio albums. Bedlum Fayre is a terrific opener of racing synthesizer coupled with excellent guitar. However, what I immediately notice is the rhythm section having much more of a 'bite' to it than in the past. Mick Pointer/drums cuts loose big time yet has never sounded better, and you can easily follow Ian Salmon/bass which is deep and tight without it becoming lost in the mix. Though the rhythm section thrusts forth much more power, it never degenerates to becoming merely gaudy. How about the vocals? Well, Rob Sowden makes a magnificent presentation highlighted by the emotional Tantalus and thoroughly captivating The Eyes of Lara Moon. Arguably, he is one of the finest vocalists in rock today if not the best. Furthermore, the interplay between John Mitchell/ guitar and Clive Nolan is metallic and beautiful when necessary. Indeed, you just listen to the glorious Smoke and Mirrors, progressive sounding Shattered Room, and the grand Opera Fanatica. In concert, the more mainstream Purgatory Road would definitely bring down the house with its rocking, catchy chorus and incisive lyrics!

Of course, I can see why some fans of Contagion & The Visitor are having a difficult time accepting Pepper's Ghost with the different musical twist this time around. But remember, bands that continue to repeat themselves are generally not viable very long or making significant music. Thus, this disc should be evaluated on its own merit and not judged against your favorite album by the band-Do not reach any conclusions about this disc until you have listened to it for about 6 times.