A strong debut effort that, despite some searing guitar work by
Vince McCusker
and a well-placed howl by
Peter Farelly
in
"Decision,"
remains a strangely low-key work. This may be due to the contemplative nature of
Stephen Houston
's keyboard and string parts. The erstwhile title tracks that bookend the album are instrumental throwaways, but several of the intervening numbers are impressive in their range and instrumental prowess.
"Olde Tyme Future"
is an ultimately hopeful elegy for an Irish homeland that seems unable to escape its own bitter past, alternating stark vocals and organ-driven instrumentals.
"Song for Thought"
uses the old progressive structure of spiraling fugues easing into slow blues on the verses, and it works wonderfully here. ~ Paul Collins