CYCLONE

Cyclone (1978) is heavily undervalued. In the discussion no one mentioned it as their favourite TD, nor was it even in a list to choose from. It is of course an 'unothodox' TD album - the way Drama is an unorthodox Yes album (and a good one, in its own means). One-time member Steven Joliffe plays flutes and other reeds, and sings... and makes odd voices. And is the very reason I'm spellbound by the album. What a charming insanity in "Bent Cold Sidewalk"! In fact the rest of the album isn't that great - so let's say 3,5 stars only. But BCS, especially the flute/clarinet dominated instrumental section, is absolutely amazing. One must listen to it with headphones and in the dark to sink perfectly into its nightmarish and yet very clear and beautiful sonic landscape. "Rising Runner..." is sciencefiction-type of a song, quite naiive really. Instrumental "Madrigal Meridian" is more typical TD of the time but a fine one - well, it could have been limited to less than 20 minutes (the same goes to most TD stuff). But still Cyclone earns a special place in the output, being so unique. The cover art is a perfect match.