ACT I: THE LAKE SOUTH, THE RIVER NORTH

1/6, count next 2 (as of Sep-2009) reviews as connected with this one. Probably the least melodic from them all. But that's not fault of course, "Battesimo del Fuoco" (why I wanted to write Batessimo instead? Probably English language deformation) starts (and ends) a capella. And as soon as you get accustomed to singer's voice, you can enjoy wonderful harmony of his and backing vocals. I said similar thing in Blomljud review and there I used The Beach Boys connection. Well, here I use Moon Safari similarity. Story here is for sure important, but I'm able (bad thing for all foreigners) to understand it just barely. Maybe after some analysis I will read, or many listens, I will understand completely. "The Lake South" starts with something I though that is trumpet, but then another came and I'm confused. Maybe two trumpets, but one of them is in waltz rhythm, second normal 4/4. And piano. And haunting feeling (these mist surrounded American lakes).

"City Escape" is quite furious (almost got feelings of emo movement, you know, similar style of singing, not so often heard in prog and yeah, punk and emo styles are connected. Fortunately, this has potential, while emo has just melody, which, as fact, I foundd quite lacking of interest) and I suppose has interesting lyrics. Poetical, with more meanings, but I just can't get through to it. "The Inquiry Of Ms. Terri" reminds me certain parts of Bring Back Boston Rag by Steely Dan.It's quite calm song, but this Ms. again confuses me. About what lady this story is ? I feel like blind person watching a movie, at least I can hear. Oh, a change occurred. I can read again, I'm not blindfolded anymore. Let's use brain! 1- Oh, it's about first moments of His life, the birth, quite hard life I suppose, his mother either did something terrible, or just inconvenient in these times. I like this era, around start of 20th century, many legends still living, Wild West still functional (little bit), nature untamed and The Lake. 3-It's hard to recognize if it's ""Ms. Terri"", or ""mystery"" sung differently. Nah, too metaphorical for my amateur poetical skills. Is it about life of her mother before his birth, or things which leaded to her being pregnant (assuming that it's about birth). 4+ "The Inquiry..." so we continue. Wikipedia says ///Ms: (/ˈmɪz/ or /mɨz/) - for women who do not wish to state their marital status.///, so our lady is not so keen on idea of telling facts about her. That's maybe key fact to understanding the story. I hope that she's not girlfriend of The Dear Hunter, this would have fatal consequences on the story. Musically, it's amazingly structured song. How it's descend higher on the musical scale, same as story is ascending to final ecstasy of truth. Quite haunting story and definitely a good one.

"1878" is quite strange song. Similar melody as many songs from current times, but lyrics are suggesting, that things are still back in reality (I mean past). Not much matching the whole scheme here, sounds too cheap for me. "The Pimp and the Priest" is again return to old ways of this album. Radical change of styles and combination of songs I've never though that could be together. And again, my favourite waltz. Everyone who'll hear its rhythm will recognize it for sure, as it has different effects on different people. Since Sleeping inn Traffic part 2, I love it. Well, since times of Dance on Blue Danube. This is one of the best songs here and fully shows this prog thing about TDR. "His Hands Matched His Tongue" oh, just try to enjoy every instrument here, every single one of them can be clearly heard. "His Hands Matched His Tongue" oh, just try to enjoy every instrument here, every single one of them can be clearly heard. Two songs, one next to another, both exactly 6 minutes long ? Maybe just coincidence. And last 2-3 minutes can be understood as interpretation of sung lyrics. Last track is sad piano outro.

Masterpiece number one. Will second one prove its worth too ?

EDIT: 4(+), after some time, it loses many of these traits. What is left is, even interesting, bunch of not so consistent songs. There's graduation, third part have big possibility to reach 5-star status. And also gains some