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Rating:
The latest album officially credited to the legendary Project is a step up from some previous productions: although initially I found it a bit cold, I later changed my mind, recognizing the great mastery that permeates this work. The sound is very modern, even if it evokes some atmospheres explored in the seventies. The composition that undoubtedly reigns supreme is "La Sagrada Familia", an eight-minute epic decidedly "art rock": epic, symphonic tracks with rich instrumentation, both modern and classical, are the band's flagship and their trademark. The lyrics are mystical and solemn, the melody very impactful and the instrumental passages textbook; the track starts off calmly and then evolves into an increasingly exciting crescendo, where keyboards are introduced first, followed by orchestration, Bairnson's big guitar, and Cottle's sax. It's undoubtedly the best track on the album, very interesting also from a lyrical point of view. Following is "Too Late", which, in its greater simplicity and immediacy, is appreciated for its very powerful sound. Not on the same level as the previous one, but catchy and excellent for testing an audio system. "Closer to heaven" is a very engaging ballad sung by Eric himself: the drum passages are spot-on, the melody flows well, and the instrumental section knows its job: guitar and sax always at the forefront, well-positioned within the context. One of the best pieces. In a similar vein is "Inside looking out", but it's less impactful and slower: it echoes typical Pink Floyd sounds in the final part. "Standing on a higher ground", which was also released as a single, is the most immediately appealing song: as catchy as usual and dominated by keyboards, used intelligently and atmospherically, it's the most blatantly 80s track. Money talks is the only negligible track, a pretty predictable rock tune. However, Paseo de Gracia is a grand instrumental finale, revisiting the melody from "La Sagrada Familia", enriched by Bairnson's Spanish guitar: an atmospheric start with keyboards and drums, then the rhythm picks up, and the rest of the instrumentation joins in, epically.
In conclusion, the album is very enjoyable and captivating, and perhaps represents the style of the Project better than more successful works like "Eye in the sky". The opening track and its instrumental version at the end of the album are worth the entire record, but everything else is also fine and of great quality, always enjoyable and compelling.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 La Sagrada Familia (08:46)
(Lead vocal - John Miles)
Voiceover:
''In recent times, there is no one at all who can approach
''Antonio Gaudi''. He started a new cathedral, in Barcelona,
it is called'' La Sagrada Familia ''or the'' Holy Family...
''The sad thing is they could try to finish it, but I don't
think they will do it.''
Who knows where the road may lead us, only a fool would say
Who knows if we'll meet along the way
Follow the brightest star as far as the brave may dare
What will we find when we get there
La Sagrada Familia we pray the storm will soon be over
La Sagrada Familia for the lion and the lamb
Who knows where the winds may blow us, only a fool would say
Who knows if we'll ever reach the shore
Follow a rising sun with eyes that may only stare
What kind of fire will burn us there? What kind of fire?
Only a fool would say
La Sagrada Familia the wind has changed the storm is over
La Sagrada Familia for the lion and the lamb
La Sagrada Familia we thank the lord the danger's over
La Sagrada Familia there's peace throughout the land
Under clear blue skies our voices rise in songs of glory
And for all those years our eyes and ears were filled with tears
Who knows where the world may turn us, only a fool would say
Who knows what the fates may have in store
Follow the light of truth as far as our eyes can see
How should we know where that may be? How should we know?
Then the angry skies, the battle cries, the sounds of glory
And for all those years our eyes and ears were filled with tears
Who knows where the road may lead us, only a fool would say
Who knows what's been lost along the way
Look for the promised land in all of the dreams we share
How will we know when we are there? How will we know?
Only a fool would say
La Sagrada Familia the war is won the battle's over
La Sagrada Familia for the lion and the lamb
La Sagrada Familia we thank the lord the danger's over
La Sagrada Familia behold the mighty hand
La Sagrada Familia the night is gone the waiting's over
La Sagrada Familia there's peace throughout the land
Until the next time
Until the next time
La Sagrada Familia
02 Too Late (04:31)
(Lead vocal - Lenny Zakatek)
When you were standing in the rain I gave you shelter
When I was knocking on your door you gave me none
Well I don't make that kind of deal with anybody
And I won't be that kind of fool for anyone
How do you feel when the tables have been turned?
What will you do now the bridges have been burned?
Cause it's
Too late now the magic's lost
Too late now the spell is broken
Too late now to count the cost
Of words that should remain unspoken
When I need you by my side you stand above me
And when I look into your eyes you turn away
Well if that's the best there is then I won't buy it
Well if that's the only game then I won't play
How many danger signs did you ignore?
How many times have you heard it all before?
Cause it's
Too late now the magic's lost
Too late now the spell is broken
Too late now to count the cost
Of words that should remain unspoken
03 Closer to Heaven (05:52)
(Lead vocal - Eric Woolfson)
Rising and falling lighter than air
Silently calling no one is there
Oh, bird that is flying so high and so free
Closer to heaven than you and me
Voices of strangers keep me from sleep
Guardian angels watch over the deep
A ship that is sailing way out to the sea
Closer to heaven than you and me
Visions of rain fall out of blue skies
Rivers of tears fall out of dry eyes
Answer my question tell me no lies
Is this the real world or a fool's paradise?
Wind that is blowing so wild and so free
Closer to heaven than you and me
Closer to heaven longing to be
Closer to heaven than you and me
Visions of rain fall out of blue skies
Rivers of tears fall out of dry eyes
Answer my question tell me no lies
Is this the real world or a fool's paradise?
Love that lies sleeping wakes in the night
Secrets for keeping that won't see the light
I look to the future and I hope it will be
Closer to heaven than you and me
Closer to heaven longing to be
Closer to heaven than you and me
04 Standing on Higher Ground (05:03)
(Lead vocal - Geoff Barradale)
I know the truth
But I can't say
And I have to turn my head
And look the other way
I'm not afraid
And I won't lie
As long as I see no wrong
I won't need to testify
I see the world
And I'm looking from a high place
Way above it all
Standing on higher ground
I breathe the air
While they're running in a rat race
Way above it all
Standing on higher ground
I feel the blow
But I don't speak
And I have to close my eyes
Pretending I'm asleep
Well I see the tears
But I don't cry
As long as I do no wrong
I don't need an alibi
I see the world
And I'm looking from a high place
Way above it all
Standing on higher ground
I breathe the air
While they're running in a rat race
Way above it all
Standing on higher ground
06 Inside Looking Out (06:22)
(Lead vocal - Eric Woolfson)
To touch the sky
A dreamer must be
Someone who has more imagination than me
To reach the stars
A dreamer must fly
Somehow he must live more of a lifetime than I
For sands of time won't wait
And it may be too late
Now is the hour and moment
Don't let the chance go by
Your ship is sailing with the high tide
And all your dreams are on the inside
On the inside looking out, on the inside looking out
Looking out, looking out, looking out
To change the world
A dreamer must be
Someone who has more determination than me
To free his soul
A dreamer must fly
Somewhere he must find a better reason than I
The hands of time won't wait
And we may be too late
Now is the hour and moment
Don't let a day pass by
Your shipis sailing with the high tide
You could be standing on the inside
On the inside looking out, on the inside looking out
On the inside looking out, on the inside looking out
Looking out, looking out, looking out
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