AGRESTIC

Despite the presence of a track entitled "Floydian Sleep" and a "YHWH" whose title reminds to "WYWH", to these ears the album sounds more inspired by Camel than by Pink Floyd. Some little things in the arrangements are not very convincing, like the drumming on the first track, but in the complex this is really a good album. There's a strong change of direction respect to the preceeding ones. The particular guitar sound that was a sort of trademark is completely gone and now it's like an "Andy Latimer meets Quantum Fantay". "Interlude I" and the mentioned "YHWH" have the flavor of Camel during their transition from Moonmadness to Rain Dances, and the second in particular reminds to Lunar Sea.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not speaking of clones. The material is original, it's the feeling that's similar. I can assume that being compared to Andy Latimer would make any guitar player smile (if you aren't Pat Metheny, at least).

The album contains also a little surprise: a 2 minutes song which is the first having lyrics and sung in the Handwrist's discography. "The Unpredictable Song" comes quite unexpected with its celtic shape and is a pleasant surprise.

The only track that can remind to Pink Floyd is the closer. "Green Weeks" is made of a simple sequence of chords with an excellent arrangement.

Respect to the previous albums, also the production sounds improved and I have to say that I find it very enjoyable. It deserves its current PA rating, I think.