Mostly Autumn - Passengers
	Released: 2003 Label: Classic Rock Legends Ltd Cat. No.: CRL 1131 Total Time: 44:30
	Reviewed by: Marcel Haster, September 2003 It is not easy for a band to release a new album. Mostly Autumn released five studio albums so far and not so long ago they released a compilation album, which showed the essence of the band, and now they have released their sixth studio album Passengers. And again the bar is set slightly higher. But the band has built up an excellent reputation of having lots of talent and song writing skills. The result is an album the band can be proud of. Passengers has a mature sound, with the familiar Celtic influences present, but not in every song. I even detected a hint of country in "Bitterness Burnt." Opening track "Something In Between" is a catchy song, a bit in the vein of Fleetwood Mac. "Pure White Light," sung by Bryan Josh, opens with a heavy guitar riff and Damian Wilson on backing vocals. His guitar play has strong references to David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), this also evident in "Another Life," in a brilliant Floydian guitar solo. A gem on the album is "Simple Ways," a song you just have to hear! Plain beautiful, yet simple. "Distant Train" has a more electronic sound, with synths and great guitar work, but no vocals as it is an instrumental track. The Celtic influences come through guest musician Troy Donockley (Iona) on whistles. Passengers ends with "Pass The Clock," a song in three parts, with both Heather Findlay and Bryan Josh on vocals, accompanied by acoustic guitar and cello, another highlight on the album, which in the second part goes into second gear, but slows down just a bit in the last part. Passengers is not an album you should read about, but you should listen to it. Mostly Autumn has succeeded in recording another fantastic album, which will only strengthen the reputation of the band. Although all members are very skilled musicians, in my opinion one of the strong points of the band are the two vocalists, Findlay and Josh, as they add to the variety on the album and together they sound magical. Now I am really curious which direction the next album will be, as the bar is again, set slightly higher. PPO Rating: 10/10 [This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.] More about Passengers: Track Listing: Something In Between (3:52) / Pure White Light (4:33) / Another Life (4:36) / Bitterness Burnt (4:56) / Caught In A Fold (3:52) / Simple Ways (6:13) / First Thought (4:46) / Passengers (6:05) / Distant Train (4:50) / Answer The Question (5:01) / Pass The Clock Pt.1 (2:40) / Pass The Clock Pt.2 (5:49) / Pass The Clock Pt.3 (3:39) Musicians: Bryan Josh - Lead Vocals, Lead Guitars, 6/12 String Acoustic Guitars Heather Findlay - Lead/Backing Vocals, Bodhran, Tambourines Iain Jennings - Piano, Hammond Organ, Synthesisers, Backing Vocals Angela Goldthorpe - Flute, Recorders, Backing Vocals Liam Davison - Electric/Acoustic Guitars, Slide Guitar Andy Smith - Bass Guitar Jonathan Blackmore - Drums Guest Musicians: Troy Donockley - Low Whistles, Penny Whistles, Uilleann Pipes, Bazouki Chris Leslie - Violin Marissa Claughan - Cello Damian Wilson - Backing Vocals Mark Atkinson - Backing Vocals Contact: Website: www.mostly-autumn.com Note: will open new browser window Discography For All We Shared... (1998) The Spirit Of Autumn Past (1999) The Last Bright Light (2001) Music Inspired By The Lord Of The Rings (2002) Heroes Never Die - The Anthology (2002) Passengers (2003) Storms Over Still Water (expected 2005) The Story So Far (2002) (DVD) At The Grand Opera House (2004) (DVD) The V Shows (2004) (DVD)