Prologue

This album deserves 5 stars because it has a number of their better known songs. Love Kiev sung this time by the bassist Jon Camp with harmonies by Annie Haslam. Rajah Khan is probably their heaviest number but once heard never forgotten. Change of style to Spare some love amazing song sang By Annie. The title track is a real stomper with some amazing harmonies. Most of this bands songs are longer than the norm and make brilliant background music whilst doing housework decorating or listening to in the car.

This is the third album of the band, but considering the formation can be considered the first, since it has completely changed. It already shows the beautiful voice and quality of Annie Haslam. All tracks are good, highlighting "Prologue", "Kiev" and "Rajah Khan". It is a progressive rock of great quality although even more raw for the band that would explode in the next album. The edition of Esoteric is worth the extra track and the insert, not having anything more. Lose a bit for the rather poor digipack version. As for the CD, very good! Note 8.0.

Not one of their better albums. Bought it for completeness

very good

Brilliant

Classic R

good

In some ways, this may well be my favourite Renaissance album, principally because the music is consistently good throughout, and there are none of the weaker tracks which began to crop up as 'filler' in later albums. The tracks vary in style from progressive rock to almost a 'pop' sound, with exciting classical influences amongst the longer, more serious numbers.The title track is a weighty and atmospheric opener, piano-driven, with influences from Bach amongst others, and Haslam's wordless vocal arcing over it all. The two longest tracks, 'Kiev' and 'Rajah Khan',are among the most powerful and memorable: the Russian influence is haunting, with echoes of Rachmaninov and Camp's thoughtful lyric, while the Eastern atmosphere of the latter has tablas, synthesiser, and Haslam's oriental vocalise. 'Sounds of the Sea' makes superb use of taped sounds (waves & gulls) married to Haslam's beautifully pure tones, to create a memorably arresting piece. Finally, 'Spare some love' and 'Bound for Infinity' are in a lighter vein, with simpler melody lines, given a touch of class by Haslam's effortless purity of voice. A lovely album throughout.