TRAFFIC

''Traffic'' has been moved from the prog-folk to the eclectic genre a while ago but I really don't understand this move. Eclectic style means complex, intricate music which is something I cannot find in ''Traffic'' records.

A country-Western tune to open, some average psyche one with ''Pearly Queen'' aren't jewels of progressive music to say the least.

My perspective here, which has been the same with some other great bands from the sixties, is that if the album is not great there are NO reasons to grant them with four or five stars because of their ''historical'' importance. An album is great or not: period. And I can't feel this one belonging to the pinnacle of prog music.

Can anyone on this site be thrilled with ''Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring''? I can't.

Of course, there is the hit ''Feelin' Alright'' available: but I can't really relate the track with the eclectic genre to be honest. This is still a very good song indeed.

Most of this album do share some folkish atmospheres (''Vagabond Virgin'') but even during those ones, I couldn't feel the same passion than with Tull for instance. OK, there is a nice psychedelic feel during ''Forty Thousand Headmen'' and some fluting as well, but in comparison of the whole album, it sounds a bit ''short''.

My favourite song from the whole is ''Cryin' To Be Heard''. It offers some superb keys and strong vocals as well. This is maybe the most ''prog'' related song of the whole. Of course, if you like some bluesy-soul stuff, a song like ''No Time To Live'' might be a great moment for you; but I don't share the same bill. At all.

IMO, this is an overrated album. Two stars is my rating. I can't add anything else for historical reasons.