FIELD OF NAMES

This is another project that vocalist Philip Griffiths is involved with. He's also the singer for POOR GENETIC MATERIAL and the drummer Ludwig Benedek also plays for both German bands. It's interesting that Philip's dad Martin was the vocalist for BEGGAR'S OPERA and sings on one track here.The music here is pretty straight forward to be honest with the piano, vocals and drums usually leading the way. Some good songs here even if it isn't that proggy. By the way you'd think from the album cover that this was a Metal album.

"Field Of Names" opens with the guitar soloing then the drums kick in. Bass and vocals follow when the guitar stops. It's fuller on the chorus. Some tasteful guitar before 4 minutes. "Premortal Dance" opens with piano as reserved vocals join in. A beat after a minute then it turns fuller. Organ after 3 minutes as it settles.It builds with some good guitar coming in before 4 minutes. "Wasteland" becomes fairly uptempo with vocals and drums standing out. It settles before 2 1/2 minutes as reserved vocals join in. Aggressive guitar 4 minutes in as it picks up. "Just Another Tragic Song" features intricate guitar and fragile vocals early on. A fuller sound follows.The piano becomes prominant before 4 minutes.

"Driven" is mellow with bass, gentle guitar, piano and vocals. It does get fuller.It settles with piano 5 minutes in before picking back up. "River Running" is probably my favourite. It's uplifting and I like the piano interlude before 3 minutes. "Hybrid" is uptempo with piano,drums and vocals standing out.Great sound late. "Mystery" opens with piano but it kicks in quickly with vocals. Some nice guitar comes and goes. "The Readiness Is All" has some tasteful guitar with bass and a beat as reserved vocals (Martin) join in. It kicks in at a minute as contrasts continue. Some guest sax 4 1/2 minutes in. "An End In Itself" has these pulsating keys as soft vocals join in. Piano follows.The contrasts between the mellow and fuller sections continue.

A good album no doubt but it doesn't do a lot for me.