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Pendragon/Toff Records [Release date: 13.10.14]
Ah, Pendragon – time was when their albums didn’t even need reviewing, such was their generic sound and all round cosy familiarity – it was first-rate, melodic progressive rock and everybody knew what to expect.
Their early work such as ‘The Jewel’, ‘Kowtow’ and ‘The Window Of Life’ laid down the template and we all thought that was that.
But things changed. First hinted at on ‘Believe’ in 2005, Nick Barrett led his band in a more hard-edged direction on 2008’s ‘Pure’ and really kicked ass on 2011’s ‘Passion’ – a move that was guaranteed to (and did) alienate some fans, but, as is always the case, attracted others.
So, what to make of ‘Men Who Climb Mountains’?
Well the good news is that it should satisfy both camps as there is a definite return to the classic Pendragon of yore but the hard crunch of later work is still present, although in a much-tempered form.
What has to be said however, is that it is an exceedingly bleak album – with a concept of mountain climbing being used as a euphemism for the trials and tribulations of everyday life – and the picture Barrett paints is that of an Orwellian dystopia.
The cover more than suggests the grim reality within and this is confirmed on track one, ‘Belle Ame’ (in French, ‘beautiful soul’) which includes the line ‘do you feel the ice cold chill upon your breath, or do you smell of death?’. Nice.
But don’t let all this oppressiveness put you off because, paradoxically, ‘Men Who Climb Mountains’ is Pendragon’s best album for years.
There are some great songs on here and the musicianship, always excellent with Pendragon, is taken to another level.
Clive Nolan’s keyboards are outstanding throughout as is the engine room of Peter Gee and Craig Blundell.
But it’s Nick Barrett’s guitar work that really catches the ear – as totally at ease with the chiming arpeggios of tracks like ‘Come Home Jack’ as he is with the soaring solos of ‘Faces Of Light’ and album standout ‘Explorers Of The Infinite’.
Barrett is indisputably his own man, but he certainly sounds like he’s been having a listen to Anathema’s more recent work as there are more than a few passages of the anthemic spaciness and rousing choruses so typical of the Scouse progressive changelings.
‘Men Who Climb Mountains’ is one of those albums that requires a few listens for all its treasures to be fully revealed but it’s worth the effort, despite the inherent bleakness, as this is, without doubt, one of the finest albums by one of Britain’s most enduring progressive rock bands.
Compelling. *****
Review by Alan Jones
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