Always autumn.
Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 02/04/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"_Catch the Spirit_ is the second anthology released by Mostly Autumn -- actually, it arrives not long after their first one, _Heroes Never Die_. Here's the skinny: _Heroes Never Die_ has gone out of print and has been *replaced* by this new set. Whereas the first anthology was only 12 songs (one disc), this is 23 mmm-tasty songs (two discs).If you enjoy this band and whether you have _Heroes Never Die_ or not, I recommend for you get this. Now some people might say, "Wah, but I already have all these songs!" Well...that's only partially true. The band has recorded everything here, and sometimes they have some pretty big differences. For instance, Heather Findlay (:P'''') takes over lead vocals on "We Come and We Go". Less evident changes include a deeper bass presence on "Goodbye Alone", a more ethereal atmosphere to "The Gap Is Too Wide", a big riff opening "Nowhere to Hide" rather than drunken singing, a more rocking arrangement on "Prints in the Stone", and a spine-tingling cadences of angels on "Mother Nature" and "Heroes Never Die". If you've heard the band's live album _The Story So Far_, you are likely to recognize that many of the songs here are based on the changes made in the live setting. While the changes are largely subtle, but it's quite remarkable how subtle modifications can really alter the sound of the song. There is also a new song (or maybe an old b-side) called "Noise from My Head" which is, like everything this band does, superb. It is a more rocking song a la "Never the Rainbow" with Heather Findlay's pearly voice.For the Mostly Autumn newbie, I can think of no better place to start (although all of their albums are excellent in their own right). _Catch the Spirit_ doesn't cost much more than their older albums but you get twice as much material. Mostly Autumns involves strains of symphonic rock flourishing around a pastoral Celtic influences and glints of hard rock. They feature a wealth of instrumentation from flutes and violins to the standard rock setup, and have goddess Heather Findlay and Bryan Josh on vocals. The band also has the most consistently beautiful guitar solos I've ever heard. I think some higher power appeared to lead guitarist Bryan Josh and gave him knowledge of sacred scales that yank at your emotions, like a combination of Steve Rothery and David Gilmour and the special X-element. Beautiful playing...and he does them ALL the time. How does he come up with this stuff? I might be biased because autumn is my favorite season, but this is really good music. So, like, yeah...check it out. (you can tell I'm really good at ending reviews)"
Recommended for Neo-prog Fans
Antony W. Alumkal | Denver, CO USA | 10/29/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Neo-prog is the version of progressive rock that emerged in the early 80s via bands like Marillion, IQ, Saga, and Pendragon. It was less complex than the classic prog of early to mid 70s Yes, Genesis, ELP, etc., and tended to have shorter songs. I would describe Mostly Autumn as neo-prog with some British folk elements thrown in the mix. They are not as folky as Iona, but folk is part of their sound.
I prefer classic prog, so I can't really get into this band. But I give them 4 stars anyway because what they do, they do pretty well.
"
Wonderful
Ronald A. Harrison | Central Illinois, USA | 03/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This double disk set is a great buy. If you aren't totally caught up in the music by the end of your first listen, you will be before the second is through."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1