TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

One of Bahrain's most popular bands in the 1980s, OSIRIS has undergone something of a renaissance in the last decade or so. First, "Visions from the Past" was notable for accentuating their native roots more than their prior albums, which had offered a mere splash of Arabic accents here and there. Then an archival live release "Tales of the Divers" made the rounds and, while both were ambitious and praiseworthy, they didn't quite ignite the old sparks. Apparently, at some point after "Visions", the band recruited a new and relatively young lead vocalist Ahmed Rawanbakhsh, and eventually issued a live DVD of that lineup which I have not yet seen. Interestingly, that document sports performances of several pieces that had not yet appeared on an OSIRIS studio or live album, which has become something of a peculiarity of the band ever since their inception. This situation is now somewhat rectified by the surprise release of "Take a Closer Look", which is a balm for the pandemic soul.

This is probably more of a straightforward neo/symphonic album than those released during their halcyon days, but what might be lacking in the ethnicity department is more than compensated by their fervor for the prog rock that is as much a part of who they are. Cautiously I want to say that this sounds like it could have appeared after "Myths and Legends", but that would be minimizing the impact of the last 30 years of prog revival. So, while comparisons to CAMEL, ELOY, FM, SAGA and even KANSAS still resonate, I also hear kinship with the grandchildren of that generation like CLEPSYDRA and TEMPUS FUGIT. Mohamed AlSadeqi continues to front with his stirring leads, but the twin keys of Nader Sharif and Khalid Al Shamlan shade "Take a Closer Look" slightly to the symphonic side. That's not to say that they have forgotten to rock out, and I think the vigor of Ahmed Rawanbakhsh contributes mightily in terms of newfound enthusiasm, particularly on briefer punchier numbers like "And it's over".

The album crests just where it should, on the longest tracks, particularly the hook laden but profound title cut, the glorious instrumental "Until we Meet", and the most proggy number "Inner Thoughts", which segues from the suspenseful first movement to a hard rock crescendo culminating in a convincing wail by Rawanbakhsh. About half way through the tempo is more jazzy, angular and thrilling. My only dissatisfaction is that it reminds me of somebody (besides CAMEL) and I can't quite grasp it in waking or in dreams.

If you are already a fan, I can't recommend this enough. If you are a neo or CAMEL fan or would be if both rocked a bit more, I recommend you zoom in here, and then explore their first couple of albums in order. 4.5 stars rounded up because this album's just got it. Bravo!

After 13 years of hiatus, Osiris is now in front of us again. Well, they had this inactive periods before.

As their quality of music is cemented over the years, they are more known than 1980s, their most active period. Take a Closer Look will hopefully introduce Osiris to newer generations, and I often listen to it. From the first seconds of A Bird of Play, opening track, melodies from Reflections, their 1989 album, pours down immediately to my memory. Take a Closer Look, 3rd track, also has some influence from Pink Floyd. Inner Thoughts, 5rd track is also worth listening with rich compositions. The Eleventh's hour, 7th track strongly reminds me of Paradox in A Major, much-loved song in Osiris (1982). Last track is similar to also last tracks of Osiris (1982) and Myths and Legends (1984).

8/10 from me. Keep up the good work! I recommend also that everyone should take a closer look to Osiris. :)

Osiris are not a band I know which is not surprising given that this is their first studio release for over ten years. On the strength of this release, I shall certainly check out their back catalogue. I enjoyed this album from the first listen. I am a sucker for fine guitar solos and this album has some exquisite sequences. There is not a bad track on the album. The title track, the longest at just under ten minutes, opens with a guitar solo that reminds me of David Gilmour at his best and then picks up the tempo before the vocal commences at the halfway point. Until We Meet is another notable track, an instrumental that builds slowly as a piano theme develops to be replaced by guitar just before the midpoint ? a lovely track. The other six tracks include another instrumental as a bonus track, and in total, make up a most enjoyable release and one of the best of the year. I have been playing this album on repeat and I am sure I shall continue to do so for a while longer. An excellent release worthy of five stars.