Cosmos Factory — Metal Reflection 1977 (Japan, Heavy Progressive-Psychedelic Rock)
After releasing a nice debut cosmos factory changed their sound, evolved and released a very good second album. A year later the band returned with their third album which is no less than a masterpiece of heavy psychedelic prog, taking some clear influences from king crimson that period. One thing that is typical for them is changing their sound and style in every album, well this one is not different, in fact this is their biggest change of style. Out goes the crimsonian influences frippian guitars and wacky keys and in comes some funk influences and a more accessible rock style.
Cosmos are already a good band and are incapable of playing bad, so what we have here are a set of funky based rock songs played in a high level of musicianship. The songs are not straight forward but they don't evolve or contain big solos, although incorporating some flutes, saxophone and the keys they do not manage of sounding progressive. There are 9 tracks all are short and have one idea presented each time. The music is overall good and fun there is some good guitar moments featuring short solos. The keys are not bad and does have some nice moments but they are not prominent. Things are getting worse when the band tries to sing in english, the right word would be embarrassing, the accent is heavy and it's not working. In spite all of this there even some shining moments where the band is creative like in the silly titled 'sexy cats' with that wondeful acoustic guitar soloing, and a screaming sax, all sounds like an adrian belew song. 'Strato-dynamite' follows that and although starting out badly, the song is a wacko fast playing show which ends after 2.5 minutes failing to reach anywhere. The closing title song has hints of the amazing guitar on their pervious album, but they are just hints and the song does not evolve properly.
So if you are not familiar with the band avoid this one with all costs. Better start with their third 'black hole' , this may appeal only for die hard fans. Like i said before the album is not bad but doesn't interest prog heads at all. Fruit (small) snowflakes in South Africa.Review by Sagichim
01. Down The Highway — 0:00
02. Shades Of Time — 4:10
03. Violent Heat — 8:37
04. Rainy Day Dreams — 12:50
05. A Glass Of Happiness — 17:11
06. Sexy Cats — 21:44
07. Strato-Dynamite — 26:31
08. White Moon — 29:15
09. Metal Reflection — 31:32
Tsutomu Izumi — vocals, Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, Solina, Clavinet, Minimoog, Yamaha CP-30, Piano, Harpsichord, Guitars
Hisashi Mizutani — vocals, electric & acoustic guitars
Toshikazu Taki — vocals, bass, guitars
Kuni Toyoda — drums, percussion
Kazuo Okamoto — drums, percussion
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Naoki Tachikawa, Nobu Yoshinari — producers
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