UK

This is truly a prog rock album performed in the musical structure of heavy metal / hard rock outfit. The days when I knew this album released in 1978 I was not aware what prog was all about and I just considered that this album was a unique hard rock music - until lately in the 90s when the internet buffs started to mention about progressive rock. Yeah yeah yeah . whatever you call it, this album is remarkable! One thing that I can assure you, like it or not, this album has inspired the birth of progressive metal vein. You want some proof? OK, just grab your Dream Theater "Scenes from A Memory - II" and go straight to track 9 "The Dance of Eternity" and enjoy it. It's a wonderfully crafted tune right? And now, grab the CD of UK first album and go straight to track 3 "Presto Vivace and Reprise" (a very short yet complex passage at the beginning of the track). Now, just let your mind compares between these two tracks. You would not find any similarity of melody, of course. But that's not the point, you may agree with me that there is a common style the two tracks share especially in fast speed tempo passage. You got it man ..!!! So, correct me if I'm wrong . this UK album has in someway inspired the progmet vein. If you disagree, it's fine with me ..it's progressive world.

On the neo classical metal vein, Yngwie Malmsteen has covered the first track of this album "In the Dead of Night" in his album "Inspiration". It suffices to say the masterpiece-ness of this album. On musicians, you got the best in the market: Bill Bruford looks after drum stools and percussion, Allan Holdsworth on guitar, Eddie Jobson - who can play two instruments briliantly: violin and keyboard, and John Wetton on bass and vocal. So, what can you expect more about this album?

In The Dead of Night

It's a high energy driving track that opens this track with an adrenalin-exploding style. Hey, by the time I had rarely seen any prog tune performed in this powerful, uplifting and fast tempo fashion. It's probably King Crimson did. The Wetton's bass and vocal line are really perfect to open this track. Bill's lightning drum strike the music in a very happy mood combined with soaring keyboard work and long sustain guitar. It's been a classic track that does not need further detail review. It's a great "WOW!" experience for me man .!!!

By The Light of Day

It's a mellow nice track performed in ambient mood reminiscent of King Crimson. The only thing non-Crimsonisque is the keyboard work at background and violin. It's a different style. It sets a very nice ground to move the music forward to track 3.

Presto Vivace and Reprise

It starts off with unique time signatures drumming followed with a very dynamic, very dense in mood and music, fast paced style that demonstrate a perfect harmony of various instruments: keyboard, bass, drum and guitar. It's an unbelievable opening part! The music then returns back to "In The Dead of Night" nicely. Again you can hear the amazing sound of Bill's drumming.

Oh man . the first three tracks have given me enough satisfaction, really!!

Thirty Years

This track opens with an ambient / atmospheric music, excellent guitar and keyboard, that features powerful voice of Wetton. It reminds me to King Crimson style. Wetton's voice flows smoothly with the quiet music (only keyboard and some guitar fills). The music then turns into a full swing featuring lead guitar work by Holdsworth, keyboard work by Jobson, accentuated by dynamic drumming.

Alaska - Time To Kill

I like this track - which has an interesting intro with keyboard solo - more in its live version under "Night After Night" live album. But this studio track is excellent too. The drumming is wonderful - performed in high energy style. Powerful track. The violin solo in "Time To Kill" is really stunning.

Never More

It kicks off with an excellent acoustic guitar outfit by Holdsworth. The music continues with the inclusion of keyboard and cymbals followed with vocal line. It continues with full swing music when all instruments start to roll. It has a stunning guitar solo and keyboard solo during interlude. Great!

Mental Medication

A concluding track that opens with a vocal line with quiet passage. When the full music enters, all members contribute really well in each passage - great bass line, wonderful drumming, stunning keyboard solo in jazzy-classical vein and excellent guitar.

In Summary: Highly Recommended! of course ..

With the kind of words I put on track by track review, you will by now know what my final recommendation about this album. It's hard to believe that any prog lover does not have this CD in their collection. Keep on Progging!!!

Progressively yours,

GW - Indonesia.

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