ERPLAND

When you think of the year 1990, I dare you to come up with many albums by prog/space rock bands, let alone flat out progressive bands outside of the Neo's. It's remarkable therefore that a space prog band would last as long up to this point in time. You can go back to this album and the following one, (1991's "Strangetude") for all the reasons why. Surging space prog, (the opener "Eternal Wheel" and all-out classic "Erpland") and psych/trance epics, (the soft to rocking "A Gift Of Wings") have been milked ad neuseum all the way through their career. But it's this album that has the classic template. It even has a song with a bit of vocals! The Oz's patented meticulous sound and recording are evident to the hilt here with perculating synths, raggae beats and middle eastern grooves that just spring from your speakers like they were inside your car or live in your house. I was turned on back then and have never looked back. Sure, it's been done by bands back in the 70's and arguable better or worse, but really, these guys have been given the torch and have held it well.