STAR-CROSSED

This was a comeback album of sorts for the band as they had broken up after the "Fear" album and even recorded a double live farewell album the following year in 1998. So yes this came out of left field as the band reformed and recorded this in 2001.The drummer (Robotham) was already with THIEVE'S KITCHEN so we get a new guy behind the kit.The original guitarist returned and the bass player and vocalist are also original members. Westworth the keyboard player had been with the band since the "Fear" album. He would later join DARWIN'S RADIO then IQ after Orford had left. Interesting that SPHERE3 (who should be on this site) has had a relationship with GREY LADY DOWN over the years. Anderson who played guitar on a couple of GREY LADY DOWN albums is from SPHERE3 and for this album Westworth borrowed a mellotron from Neil Durant (SPHERE3) as well. And some recent news is the fact that SPHERE3's keyboardist Neil Durant has just replaced Westworth in IQ, and yes he has his own mellotron (yay). Back to this album. I have to admit that for me this is my least favourite GREY LADY DOWN studio album. I like some of the heavier sections on the final two tracks but really this album does almost nothing for me sadly.

"Fading Faith" opens with piano but it kicks in fairly quickly until it settles back when the vocals arrive. It does pick back up. A calm with reserved vocals around 4 minutes then it picks back up before 6 minutes. "Shattered" kicks in at a minute with prominant bass. It settles again as contrasts continue. Mellotron after 2 minutes. "As The Brakes Fail" is mellow with reserved vocals until it gets fuller before 2 1/2 minutes. "Fallen" opens with synths as drums, bass then guitar join in. It settles with laid back vocals before 2 minutes. It continues to pick back up then settle back the rest of the way. Organ before 6 1/2 minutes followed by some aggressive guitar then keyboards. It settles again and vocals are back after 10 minutes. It picks up then settles with piano after 12 1/2 minutes.

"New Age Tyranny" is vocal led with some good guitar after 5 minutes. "Sands Of Time" opens with strummed guitar then it picks up with vocals and other sounds. A guitar solo 3 minutes in. "Truth" is fairly heavy until it settles after 1 1/2 minutes.Vocals follow then it gets fuller after 3 minutes. Heavy again before 5 minutes. "Crossfire" has this heavy intro that I like but it changes quickly with vocals. It's still fairly heavy and intense though. Contrasts will continue but this one rocks pretty good.

A really low 3 stars would be generous but since this is my least favourite and i've rated the other studio albums at 3 stars I have to go 2.5 stars.