UNFOLD THE FUTURE

Where do I begin here? Amazing, incredible, wonderful. All words that apply to this future classic album by the current top prog band, probably in the world. How many other prog albums have not one, not two but three epics on them, one lasting over 30 mins, one nearly 25 mins, and one, 'only' just under 15 mins? And all of them sheer class. Not a weak track to be found on either disc. The first epic, 'The Truth Will Set You Free' opens the first disc, and shows the band at their Yes-influenced best. Plenty of Howe-like guitar work, and Anderson-style vocals. Magnificent. 'Silent Inferno' is the second epic on this disc. Different, and darker, with nice guitar again against a backdrop of atmospheric keyboard work. Tremendous. All the other tracks are of the same high standard, the jazz influenced 'Christianopel' maybe the highlight. As I said, no weak tracks, 'The Navigator' being, comparatively, the most ordinary song here. 'Black And White' is, again, excellent. 'Vox Humana' shows off more of the Yes influence. A stunning disc. is disc two weaker? Not at all! 'Genie In A Bottle' kicks it off superbly. Then we have various tracks with various moods, 'Fast Lane' almost sounding, vocally, like a Cream song! 'Soul Vortex' carries on where 'Christianopel' left off. Tremendous. 'Rolling The Dice' is different again, darkly humorous with heavier guitar work. 'Devil's Danceschool' is another, almost jazzy piece, again enjoyable, trumpet led and brash. 'Solitary Shell' is this disc's most ordinary track, but still not a bad one. And then comes the third epic, 'Devil's Playground', with its various mood swings, instrumental changes and breaks, and a pompous yet magnificent chorus, with nice mellotron, overlaid with subtle guitar. Brilliant. Oh yes, I have the limited edition, with the bonus track, 'Too Late For Tomatoes' a track I consider the third one in the 'Christianopel/Soul Vortex' mode. Stupendous. Make no mistake, this album will indeed be a classic in twenty or thirty year's time. Their best one? Well, it is certainly the band at its creative peak. An album I undoubtedly place in my top 10 desert island discs. And yet, for all its astonishing diversity and brilliance, I still, oh, ever so slightly, prefer 'Flower Power'. Both are amazing. If you don't own them yet, what are you waiting for?