GRACIOUS !

This is GRACIOUS' debut from 1970.It's funny reading the lead guitarists' thoughts in the liner notes which were from 1995. He says he hated the name GRACIOUS as their band name and still does. Considering they were once called SATAN'S DISCIPLES I guess GRACIOUS does seem a little tame (haha). This band is often associated with other bands who use lots of mellotron and certainly the follow-up to this is loaded with it, the debut though doesn't actually have much mellotron on it.

"Introduction" opens with drums then everyone joins in including the vocalist.This is a catchy mid-paced tune. "Heaven" opens with organ and drums then it settles into a pastoral mood with mellotron. It's slowly building then a change before 3 1/2 minutes as strummed guitar and a lightweight soundscape take over.Vocals a minute later. Intricate guitar before 6 minutes then it picks up before 7 minutes with the guitar out front. "Hell" opens with experimental sounds then it kicks in around 2 minutes. No real melody until around 3 1/2 minutes.This sounds great. It settles 5 minutes in with piano and vocals then It turns into a Ragtime mode a minute later. A change after 7 minutes to a more intense sound. "Fugue In D Minor" is classical sounding throughout and I don't really like it.

"The Dream" is the 17 minute closing track.This one is interesting to say the least.The guitar comes out firing then it calms right down with piano.Vocals 2 minutes in and they are laid back.The sound gets more intense once the vocals stop 2 1/2 minutes in. Guitar comes to the fore then keyboards. Spoken words before 7 minutes then he starts singing.Things get a little strange after 9 minutes. It kicks back in instrumentally a minute later. I like when he says "I'm going to walk right over to him and put him on the floor". Funny section.The music kicks back in before 15 minutes.

A good album all things considering.