UNDERSTAND

Jadis' 4th album, 'Understand' followed after a hiatus of 3 years, and saw former members John Jowitt and Martin Orford (IQ's base and keys, respectively) rejoin the fold. The result is a very pleasing, if unspectacular medium paced, MOR offering, which has all the hallmarks of classic Jadis without it quite reaching the heights of the first two albums. As with all Jadis albums, 'Understand' is both catchy and instantly accessible, with their trademark guitar hooks and interplay with the keyboards.

In essence, with tracks such as 'Where In The World', 'Is This Real' and 'Giraffe Chariot', the album contains too many similar, even paced, mid tempo tracks. In fact, it doesn't seem to pick up until part way through 'Alive Inside', where the centrepiece of the track is the instrumental, showing a snapshot of what these four musicians are capable of, together. The album includes an instrumental, 'Between There & Here', which is their first since 'Holding Your Breath' from the debut album, but sadly doesn't deliver the same breadth or diversity and therefore interest as it's forerunner.

Having said this, the album is not without it's highlights; there is a marked change in tempo with the rockier 'Racing Sideways', which has a harder edge, and contains some lovely interplay between guitar and keyboards. The strongest track on the album however is the 7 minute closer, 'Counting All The Seconds', which is possibly Martin Orford's best opportunity to demonstrate some beautifully atmospheric keyboards. Meanwhile, Chandler shows his true craftsmanship by allowing his guitar to saw above the backing, in true 'Andy latimer' style, before the track is rounded off with an emotive vocal climax.

Ultimately howver, I can't hide a certain disappointment in 'Understand', partly because the melodies amble along in 'Sunday morning' gear, with little variation throughout the 8 tracks. Personally, I remember feeling a great sense of optimism in Jadis' future when the classic line-up reformed, but I was disappointed that their 6 year hiatus had not seen them build on 1994's impressive 'Across The Water', as there is certainly less here for prog fans by way of time changes and technical prowess.

I feel although the sum of the musical parts may be greater on 'Understand', it hasn't made for a greater whole, and that after hearing the album, I have just left a restaurant still feeling peckish. That said, all the right ingredients are still there, and anyone with a penchant for light, upbeat neo-prog will ultimately not be too disappointed with this album.