GOODBYE MELODY MOUNTAIN

I just couldn't get into this one the first time around so I put it aside and spent more time with it over the past week. Same results I'm afraid which surprised me given I'm such a fan of this Post-Rock band from Norway. The previous album "Easily Misunderstood" and the followup to this which is self-titled leave this in their shadows as this seems lacklustre for some reason. Just my tastes I suppose but there's little in the way of highlights for me.

It gets off on the wrong foot with "Face The Fax" which is okay but not for an opener. The closing part section of "Hey Now, Who Really Cares" stands out for me but it's hit and miss throughout. I like the horns starting before 4 minutes on "Eye Eat Lotus" and the title track is really good but short at 2 1/2 minutes.

"So Many Cowboys, So Few Indians" is a catchy little number with dual guitars intertwining before a beat and horns join in. Cello before 3 1/2 minutes and it turns heavier late. Nice. "Slow Motion Simulator" contrasts the piano led sections with the mellotron-like sounds that lead the other section. I like it. The closer is the longest, approaching 9 minutes. Not into the violin sounds late but the dual guitars early are cool.

I gave this one a second chance just because I really like this band but this one just doesn't do it for me. 3 stars.