A PERFECT MYSTERY

One of my favorites of the later LPD's releases. The music is hard to describe and if you are not a fan of this group,well then you should be. The sounds range from jazzy fusion to screeching neopyschedelica with the ever present Ed Ward Ka Spel as ringmaster.The cuts are all standouts and flow seamlessly into one another. All cuts are more like traditional songs than some of the more surreal and sound collage oriented pieces that are so much a part of many of the Pink Dots releases. Every TRUE prog fan should spend some time exploring this interesting and diverse group.

One of the best albums from this band released in 2000 it continues in their 90's tradition. Having six members at this point certainly has a affect on the sound. So much going on. I found the more straight forward tracks to be a little more streamlined compared to the mid nineties stuff but thankfully we get lots of atmosphere and experimental material here. There are three tracks that make this album a must-have for LPD fans. The 8 minute opener "Lent", the 8 1/2 minute "Pain Bubbles" which is possibly the best song I've heard from these guys and the 13 minute closer "Godless" where Ka-Spel continues his inventive anti-God stuff. He really should be thanking God in the liner notes for all of the material he's inspired him with over these 40 years lol.

"Lent" can get spooky early on with that dark atmosphere then we get some percussion before 2 minutes followed by vocals. It gets more intense after 5 minutes when the vocals step aside. Sax over top here and so much going on, I mean this is headphone music. It turns spacey late to end it. "Pain Bubbles" just blows me away(haha). That urgent rhythm section that doesn't let up along with those vocal melodies and vocals that are contrasted just make this one of the best songs I've heard from this band. I just can't get enough. Then add that nasty guitar bit after 4 minutes when the vocals step aside. Nice! Sax replaces the guitar before 7 minutes to the end.

"Godless" is like a minute to minute description of being in a natural disaster and Ka-Spel cries to God "Were you ever there!" over and over screaming it. God says "When was the last time you talked to me?" Oh no I made that up sorry. But man so much atmosphere and it's haunting right away before the narration arrives. It's so intense late, so much atmosphere, pretty incredible. So along with these three amazing tracks we get some so so tunes like "When Lenny Meets Lorca" and the catchy "When I'm With You" a song about a relationship where he cries "Are you playing me?" over and over.

"Skeltzer Spleltzer" reminds me of THE RESIDENTS with the violin and sound. Love the bass clarinet on "Mood 159" before 3 minutes and the electronics that follow. The organ is really good too prior to this. The 7 minute "Blue" is probably my fourth favourite. I like how dark it is and the atmosphere dominates early. "Condition Green" like "When I'm With You" has that often repeated line and here its "I'll keep you alive". Check out the distorted organ on this one. So good!

Again this a must for LPD fans, a solid 4 stars.