THE RISING OF THE LIGHTS

Finally William D. Drake makes the PA grade! But: "eclectic prog"?! More like crossover prog, indie, or eccentric pop. Yes, there are some GENTLE GIANT familiarities ("The Mastodon," "Ziegler") and there are the odd instrument or two used to play off the ubiquitous piano, but mostly this is piano-based rock more in the vein of early BILLY JOEL or early ELTON JOHN. Some of it sounds like lyrically-clever songs from MONTY PYTHON or BENNY HILL ("Super Altar," "Wholly Holey," "Ziegler") and some sound continental 1930s KURT WEILL-ish ("The Rising of the Lights"). While I like the album overall, the steady piano beating and basic drum work leave me a bit cold. The gorgeous "In an Ideal World" and "Ornamental Hermit" are my favorites. Odd that the album's longest songs are bunched together at the end. Love the TONY BANKS-like sections in "Homesweet Homestead Hideaway."

5 star songs: "In an Ideal World," "The Mastodon," and "Ornamental Hermit."

4 star songs: "Ant Trees," "Laburnum," "Ziegler," "Me Fish Bring," and "Homesweet Homestead Hideaway." 3.5 stars rated down cuz I'm not finding it very proggie nor very progressive.