ONE NITER

This is an impressive recording. Certainly the keyboards dominate and these guys had lots of them. Three of the band members played keyboards along with other instruments. Mellotron is very prominant but what is significant is the abundance of mellotron brass. I've never heard it so often on one record. Now I admit it's not my favourite mellotron sound by a long shot but it makes for an interesting listen.This album is quite spacey and symphonic as well.

Two long suites make up the bulk of this record. First up is he 14 minute "Circles" suite which is divided into five parts. It begins with "The Almighty" where we get those mellotron brass outbursts before it settles then it kicks in with the mellotron again. A calm takes over with flute then it kicks back in late with drums and mellotron to end it. "The Nude" is kind of funky with clavinet and it's uptempo. Mellotron sweeps across the soundscape. An explosion ends it. "The Curse" opens with piano and flute.Vocals for the first time after a minute. Drums, bass and organ eventually join in as it becomes more passionate. Check out the Gilmour-like guitar before 4 1/2 minutes. Nice. "The Blessed" sounds excellent as the tempo picks up with guitar still leading. Mellotron brass ends it. That ends the "Circles" suite.

"Loner's Rhyme" opens with keys, flute and a light beat as reserved vocals join in.The guitar replaces the vocals before 2 minutes. It's more dynamic after 2 1/2 minutes. Some impressive keyboard work follows.Vocals are back just before 8 minutes. Next up is the five part "One Niter Medley" suite. "Benedictus" opens with what sounds like harpischord then these spacey sounds come in including mellotron. Is that theremin? "Fuge" is classical sounding. "V.A.T." is eventually led by the guitar and a funky groove. Nice bass too. "Morning" is where they slow it down some but the sound is actually richer. "One Niter" ends the suite with guitar, mellotron, drums and piano all standing out in a positive way. "Venezuela" is a relaxed tune with acoustic guitar. "Way Down" is spacey to start as flute comes in then random drum patterns.Very cool sound here. It kicks in at 2 minutes and again it's funky with guitar playing over top. It settles as vocals come in after 5 minutes.

A low 4 stars for me only because my enjoyment level isn't that high for this one. I actually get more of a kick out of the followup "Hats Of Glass". It's more dynamic and easier to digest I suppose, but above all I connect with it emotionally.