TWELFTH NIGHT XII [AKA: THE VIRGIN ALBUM]

Being a huge fan of this band in the 80s, I was saddened by the departure of lead singer and inspiration Geoff Mann. However, all was not lost as the band were to continue with a new singer (Andy Sears), managed to cut a record deal with Virgin, (so it seemed finally they'd 'made it') and I awaited the album with baited breath.

What emerged was a huge disappointment, and I tried hard to like it given the brilliance of Fact & Fiction and Live and let live. Alas, other than Take a Look, I could only find 1 or 2 other semi-worthwhile tracks. Now, almost two decades later, the album is finally released on CD so I eagerly bought it as my vinyl copy has long since been stored away in my garage. I was sure it was going to surprise me, take me back to that neo-prog era and finally convince me of its merits. It didn't! It sounds worse now than I remember it. A vain attempt by the band to capitalise on the Echo & the bunnymen, Cure, Duran sound. It simply didn't work as the lead vocals were weak and the songs even weaker. A sad end really to one of the great British prog bands of that era.

If you don't yet know Twelfth Night, then buy the other two aformentioned CDs and I guarantee you will NOT be disappointed. The Collector compilation is also a must buy as it features only the best of Andy Sears songs which are pretty good but come nowhere close to those of Goff Mann. This however is not recommended, and if you buy it first and dismiss the band because of it, you'll be missing out on the brilliance that was Twelfth Night prior to this second rate new wave version.