CD Review  

Rating 95%

reviewed by Charlie O'

If you missed our review of that gig, or even the EP, check them out now, here. And here.

Ok, up to speed now? Right well the first this that you'll notice on this album is that the playing is of an exceptional standard. With some bands, I find that this can lead to a dull, overtly overly technical sound, suitable only for other musicians and freaks. Well, that's not the case with "Eyes..." because I love it too, and I ain't no musician. Or a freak! Shut up!

It all kicks off with Erase... Rewind, clocking in at an epic nearly ten minutes long, with elements of Rush (of course), IQ and Jadis, before slipping into the funkier Stronger. Windows To Your Soul creeps in next, like a burglar through an open window... This was on the Pictures EP and is quite possibly their strongest song, especially now as it sounds like it's had a better production applied to it. It was also played on our Podcast # 6, so download that to get a feel for it!

Glass Tigers Eye, mush better than Survivors version! This one's very reminiscent of an "in their prime" It Bites, which isn't a bad thing, I can tell you!

Another absolute classic follows up next, Lapse of Sensation is it's name - also played on Podcast 10, so I reckon you've all heard it already. I love this track like I love my Full Breakfasts. It's a longer, more melodic track, that twists and turns like a snake on heat, with some fantastic emotional guitar playing by Dec Burke. Eccentric Orbits pounds in next, sounding like recent Porcupine Tree, which contrasts nicely with the ballardy Amber Skies.

The closing track The Vast Within starts slowly before reaching an exciting climax in the middle then winding down again. Nearly 12 minutes of melodic prog heaven. And that's got to be enough for anyone!

Bands such as Darwin's Radio and Pure Reason Revolution are at the forefront of the New Wave Of British Prog Rock Bands Of Britain (NWOBPRBOB - damn, have to think of something else)