Search - Barclay James Harvest :: Turn the Tide

THEIR BEST ALBUM.....REALLY!

Steve Wyzard | Lomita, CA | 09/14/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most long-time fans will be aghast that I consider this to be the best Barclay James Harvest album. Overlooked by even the die-hards, if this album is remembered at all, it's for the frothy single, "Life is for living". For a long time, I would have considered Ring of Changes to be their best album, but that album is spoiled for me by "Just a day away (Forever Tomorrow)". Another stand-out is Welcome to the Show, but that album is ruined by "Psychedelic Child". Beyond being an all-around strong collection of great songs with no real weak-links, just what is so great about this album?



As the follow-up to Eyes of the Universe (another above-average effort), Turn of the Tide continues with the precedent set by that album's heavily synthesized sound. The difference, however, is a COMPLETE change of atmosphere. Where previous albums had a darker edge or were burdened with struggle and disillusionment, Turn of the Tide is warm, light, airy, even hypnotic in effect. Listen to the massed vocal harmonies on "Back to the Wall" and "I'm like a train", or the intricate keyboard intro to "Echoes and Shadows": it's the perfect soundtrack for a late summer afternoon, watching the sun slowly descend behind the mountains in the distance. Cynics will of course dismiss this collection as vapid, commercial, or maudlin, but it does have its heavier moments ("Highway for Fools", "Death of a City") and the band's typical sense of tongue-in-cheek humor ("Doctor Doctor" - slap bass on a BJH album? LOL!)



Special mention must be made of not only this album's longest and best song, but also IMHO the band's greatest moment EVER: album-closer "In Memory of the Martyrs". Beginning with a warbling synth solo and strummed acoustic guitar, it builds ever so slowly in scope, majesty, and epic sweep to a powerful conclusion of almost orchestral proportions. Written by guitarist John Lees for a cousin who died in a car accident, the lyrics also take into account the then-divided city of Berlin. This song is the "lighters aloft" masterpiece that the band should be famous for, the concert-closer that the crowd can't forget hours after the last note has sounded. Alas, "Hymn" and "Mockingbird" will probably always hold those distinctions. 'Tis a pity.



Known only by a cult-following in America, Barclay James Harvest is probably the most unlikely band to ever be "rediscovered". And once again (pun intended), I'm probably the only one who will say so, but do not pass up this album if you have even the slightest interest. It's now very hard to find, but ultimately well worth it."