PRIMITIVE

THE WATCH's previous album "Vacuum" is right near the top of my Neo-Prog list. It's just one of those albums that pushes all the right buttons for me. I had high hopes for "Primitive" their follow-up, but for me it's a couple of steps back and I would rate it pretty even with their debut "Ghost".

"Sound Of Sirens" kicks in before a minute with lots of mellotron and vocals as the drums pound. It settles with piano around 4 minutes then kicks back in a minute later. Lots of atmosphere 6 1/2 minutes in as it calms right down right to the end. "The Border" opens with reserved vocals and keys. It picks up before 1 1/2 minutes as drums and bass join in. It settles again as contrasts continue. "Two Paces To The Rear" kicks in right away. It's mid paced with vocals. It settles down after a minute then picks back up as the contrasts continue.

"When I Was A Tree" is catchy with pulsating piano that comes and goes. It picks up before 3 1/2 minutes. Lots of organ late. "Another Life" has this steady beat with vocals. It kicks in with mellotron and drums 3 minutes in. Quite powerful actually. Guitar 5 1/2 minutes in. "Berlin,1936" is mellow early with fragile vocals. It kicks in and picks up a minute in. Nice. The tempo continues to shift. Great sound before 6 1/2 minutes with organ. "Soaring On" is one of my favourites. Interesting that Cristiano Roversi (MOONGARDEN) along with Simone created the music for it. There is synth orchestration on this one too. This one just clicks with me emotionally. It turns dark 3 minutes in.

So a disappointment for sure but "Vacuum" was such a great album that I won't give on them pulling off another one like that in the future. 3.5 stars.