PROLOGUE

This is the album where the classic lineup is featured for the first time. Annie Haslem has a beautiful voice, had training for singing opera, and has an amazing vocal range. The music sounds a bit like the title of the band. The orchestrations are not yet featured, but the symphonic sound is already achieved here, thanks to the brilliant pianist. While the first 2 songs are brilliant, the rest can't keep up with that standard except for the strange closer.

Prologue is a great opener indeed! It is an instrumental (if you consider Haslem's do do dooos instruments). From the beginning, the song is already dominated by powerful classical piano. In almost all the movements (it's a very tight and coherent song that changes a lot), you hear piano and the bass loud upfront. I especially like the mellow part where Annie Haslem sings those loud (doo doos).

Kiev is seven minutes long, yet does not feel long. A male singer is evident here, but he also sounds very good and does not make you miss Annie. The chorus in which Annie sings wordless syllables is very pretty. There are plenty of musical breaks where the piano gets the spotlight (the one at minute 5 is my favourite). Wonderful Track! Easily my favourite from this album.

Unfortunately, the next three tracks do not reach the heights of Prologue and especially Kiev. Sounds of the sea is a very piano ballad that unfortunately suffers from being a bit too long. However, Annie Haslem sings beautifully here. I just think that putting "sounds of the sea" in the last 40 seconds is a bit unnecessary. "Spare Some Love" is a nice folk tune that transforms into a psychedelic jam that reminds me of Yes' first two albums(If Im not mistaken, they stole a bass riff). The folk returns and finishes the song. Bound for infinity is a mellow pastoral tune featuring piano. The last track Rajan Kahn is very unusual, yet captivating. It begins with a strange psychedelic guitar solo that does not feel out of place since the song is an rocker with sitars, tabla percussion, and plenty of chanting.

Very good album. It shows you show the classic line-up sounded at first. This album is like Nursery Cryme: excellent, but the best was yet to come in the next albums.

Highlights: Prologue, Kiev, Rajan Kahn Let Downs: Bound for Infinity

My Rating: B-

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