VRT SVETLOSTI

At more decent running time of almost 36 minutes (!), the second album of ISP carries on in the same vein like its predecessor, falling into the predictible "second-album trap". Production is still weak and this LP was even bigger rarity than the debut. The formula was repeated but to a lesser final result. "Igrac" is ambitious and pretentious 10-minute composition with not very good vocals. Much better singing in style of folk/rennaissance is in the title track which is easily the best moment on the album. The remaining instrumentals are nothing exceptional, more like fillers albeit nicely done, with some fusion moments and female vocals. Not essential stuff, but worth hearing in any case! I think that both "Vrt svetlosti" and eponymous debut were reissued in the 1990s on vinyl again (not on CD) by German label Kalemegdan Disk, with allegedly better sound but I could not confirm this. Slightly less than ***, approaching the territory of the "collectors only"!

Igra Staklenih Perli's debut had that secret ingredient that makes space-rock tick. This is largely absent here and while the sound doesn't differ all too much, the songs never grab the attention like they did on the previous album.

The songwriting is more Hawkwind oriented, comparable to their 'new-wave' albums such as 'Quark Strangeness and Charm' and 'PXR5', but there's also a hint of the more rocking 'Levitation' album. Anyway, the reliance on just one source of inspiration makes the band less diverse and experimental then on the early-Floyd meets Gong blend of the debut. But the main problem is the songwriting, which rarely reaches anything resembling a hook or decent groove, both quite important for a space-rock album.

As others have concluded before me, this is still an enjoyable listen, but it is too safe and formulaic to rate any better then just ok.