Reviews

"The Ragged Curtain" is almost without dead centers. After a short
acoustic intro the band clashes into "Tightrope", a heavy, ten minute
track where all their instruments are put to use. This is followed by a
selection of lighter, almost pop-ish tracks with complex elements. Best
of these is "What Is It Worth?" where Guy Manning¹s sensitive voice
really stands out and expresses a degree of pain which really fits the
depressing lyrics.
"The Weaver Of Dreams" doesn¹t only sound a bit more like the title of a
'prog' song, it is also much more typical 'prog' with a well ­constructed
build-up and a lovely middle part played on flute. The 26 minute long
title track has, as expected, everything. It develops from a rather
traditional intro, through a tight and intense interplay between heavy
guitars, sax and Hammond organ, a middle section for Mellotron and
flute, a sax solo, folk-rock elements with mandolins, and a grandiose
conclusion not a million miles from the most obvious source of
inspiration ­ Genesis¹ "Supper¹s Ready".
Melodic and emotional symphonic rock of the best kind. The CD has a
couple of weak tracks, and perhaps a bit too much pop music for some of
you. But if you are not too much of a puritan to appraise a few quite
straight tracks in the first half of the album, "The Ragged Curtain" is
heartily recommended!

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