THE PRESENT

Let me recap. They had just had a comeback album two years earlier, 'Long-Distance Voyager', that was really successful. Patrick Moraz was now part of the band and his Synthesisers helped modernise their sound, and this ultimately carried them through the 80's. This was the follow up to 'Long-Distance Voyager'.

Well, at least this album is as good as the cover might suggest, and is as every bit as science-fiction sounding as the inside sleeve paintings imply. The whole album is drenched in outer-space synths, Moraz really bringing these songs to life. I enjoy the sonic sounscapes, but the material is very strong too. More complex than the repetitious 'Voyager' and more heartfelt too. Highlights are the opening 'Blue World', which is catchy, 'Hole in the world/under my feet', a groovy John Lodge number that has an extended instrumental solo, and two heartfelt Justin Hayward ballads, the Country-ish 'It's cold outside of your heart' and 'Running Water'.

Ray Thomas also ends the album on a high, with 'I Am' and 'Sorry'. 'I Am' is a quirky, Eastern flavoured song that is essentially an intro into 'Sorry' a scathing song about his wife that starts off as a slow acoustic song and builds into a dramatic 'science-fiction boogie' if you could imagine it.

The album is enjoyable for those who like dramatic sonic effects and prog-pop. A very melodic album that comes highly recommended, four stars.

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