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Comedy Of Errors - Fanfare & Fantasy CD (album) cover

FANFARE & FANTASY

Comedy Of Errors

 

Neo-Prog

4.02 | 532 ratings

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tszirmay
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars Comedy of Errors has arrived on my doorstep and even though I have been on a killer buying spree lately, I have really been salivating at the thought of getting my hands on this rather glowingly reviewed prog wonder. Every pundit has praised this up the wazoo and I was anxious to see and hear what all the fuss was about. So let me state for the record, that it will alter your anti-neo-prog convictions (if you should have any) and process them into a cell of solitary confinement with key thrown away. Once again, the notion of 'accessible symphonic' is perhaps a better term, as the Genesis "And They Were Three" sticker simply does not apply anymore. The playing is grandiose, the song structure certainly more stretched out in terms of instrumental composition, the keyboard playing luscious and magnificent (ooh, that mellotron sound!), electric guitar and bass phrasings are sumptuously complex and the drumming totally propellant. But it's the dynamics that truly astound, a constant and inspiring sense of adventure and discovery that has no boundaries or ennui. Throw in some absolutely excellent vocals from Joe Cairney (a perennial weakness in our beloved genre), sterling sound, pristine production and gorgeous packaging (blue is the color of prog!). Lyrical content is dramatic and politicized as it should be (they are Scots after all!), brilliantly conceived and passionately delivered. I mean you have to be mean spirited to knock this down, unless of course you wish to remain a narrow- minded fan boy, slavishly obedient to one party/band rule. I have a hard time not seeing this album as 1- a 2013 highlight and 2- a prog classic. I won't even venture in dissecting this masterpiece track by track, it's just not even necessary. Both Mark Spalding and Jim Johnston shine on their lead instruments, revealing a deep understanding of the timelessness of progressive rock, you can listen to this a thousand times and always find some new twist and mostly feeling that was not there earlier. That is the making of a slice of genius. I mean if the bigger boys (you know, the glorious ones, cough!) would come up with an album this elegant, pleasurable yet sophisticated, it would be hailed as a miracle. As such, I cannot recommend an album more, being converted the first time I heard "Time's Motet and Galliard", a symphonic-medieval piece that would make Gryphon blush with envy. Harpsichord and playfulness, very very British Isles. I could have gone on and one and write a 20 page essay on this jewel but I clearly see that there is no need!

A tremendous triumph and surely among the top contenders for album of the year. WOW! It's got everything a fan needs.

5 Make-believe and pomps

tszirmay | 5/5 |

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