These guys may be known for their love and respect for Pink Floyd, but I’m hearing all sorts of other influences, too, from Traffic, Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon to Cat Stevens and even Gordon Lightfoot. But by the album’s end I realize any such influences are just the starting point for this ambitious and satisfying project.

Opening instrumental Storm at Seacliffe features soaring twin guitars, sympathetic synths and wailing saxophone over solid bass and drums to create a melodic power ballad that could qualify as accessible prog rock. The second cut, Willstead Mid-winter, is also an instrumental, offering piano and flute sweetness before sax and guitars take over and the rhythm section picks up the tempo, building excitement for a majestic conclusion.

Antecedent is a catchy pop-rocker with harmony vocals that could be the hit single. A Forest Song turns riff-funky while Reststops & Amusements delights with quirky breaks and time signatures.

Lyrics like My Kind of Yellow’s “the perfect companion for this overcast rainy-day fellow is my kind of yellow,” or Waist Deep’s “In the end, we defend, what we can’t comprehend,” offer a surprising playfulness and depth.

The closing Recollection is a gentle 6/8 feel with a Lightfoot touch to start, morphing into the band’s signature, almost symphonic sound by the end. I’m a sucker for melody, harmony, thoughtful arrangements and powerful execution of diverse ideas. I really like this album.

– Owen Jones, retired Windsor Star entertainment writer and reviewer, 8/24/21.