BELIEVE: an instrumental opener with echoes of Celtic, Santana, Pink Floyd and Middle Eastern, with warm synth textures and soulful guitar leads which reminded me a little of some of the instrumental stuff from Floyd's 'Division Bell'.
NO PLACE FOR THE INNOCENT: in a better world without American Idol and the like, this would be probably be the lead-off single and perhaps a hit. This track has a immediency and urgency which recalls Queen, U2, Marillion, grunge, just a great rock song. Play loud. The song deals with the fact that nodody is encouraged to believe in anything anymore, that we're all conditioned early on to be cynics who dismiss anything outside our own spheres of influence and untimately end up with closed minds with faith in nothing.
THE WISDOM OF SOLOMAN: atmospheric synth, female vocals and crying guitar introduce this track, which is about being pollitically correct to the point of not being able to even think or say anything without fear of offending someone. This is the most traditional Pendragon sounding track here sounding like earlier material like 'The Jewell'(1985) or 'Windows Of Life'(1993). Some nice acoustic flamenco-style guitar from Mr. Barrett.
THE WISHING WELL: the centerpiece of 'Believe' is this 22 minute epic which is separated into 4 parts. It hangs together more as a collection of moods and themes than as a side-long 'Supper's Ready' or whatever, though no less powerful. The track deals with mankind and our need to be human and the freedom to explore our humanity, and even have fun as well. The first part 'For Your Journey' is atmospheric and features a spoken word section reminding me of Moody Blues, but even more emotional, lump in the throat if you let it. The second part 'Sou' By Sou'west' is also featured on the Katrina charity album, while the third & fourth sections are more rock, with atmospherics, samples and acoustic guitar. The drums are more involved as well. Overall, a great slab of music- strange how they put the 'epic' in the middle of the record instead of at the end, like a band would usually do.
LEARNING CURVE: this one has a more modern sound with plodding rhythm and laid back keys and guitar. Quite refreshing after the 22 minutes of 'Wishing Well'. I suppose this track is about learning and being patient with the lessons of life. Some of the solos remind me of fellow Neo band Jadis.
THE EDGE OF THE WORLD: the last track starts quiet, sad and reflective. A heartbreaking guitar lead and some melencholy keyboards eventually give way to full band anthem before ending the album on a reflective note.