This is the first electric album from Giltrap in many years.
On Ravens & Lullabies he has partnered with Oliver Wakeman and together they have concocted a delightful semi-prog rock record. By semi, I mean if you like Alan Parsons Project and Kayak, then this is right up your street.
If you are into really progressive ‘progressive’ rock, though, no worries, there is still plenty to enjoy: the musicianship and song writing is first class.
Having said all that, the album is a bit good cop, bad cop: band piece, solo piece, band piece, solo piece.
Anyway, it kicks off with its best song, the almost Asia like Moneyfacturing, which has a great guitar and synth solo and a memorable chorus to boot.
The next track is the solo guitar and piano of Fiona’s Smile, then there is another full band track, then another acoustic piece. And so on.
Is This The Last Song I Write is the longest, most progressive piece. It is the one that gets the most praise and a pretty good tune it is, too, despite the annoying navel-gazing lyrics.
Throughout the album, though, Giltrap’s acoustic and electric playing is superb (wish there was some more electric guitar, though!) and Wakeman is, well, a Wakeman!
Ravens and Lullabies is a good, solid album, well worth owning. However, it’s not nearly as good as Fear of the Dark and Perilous Journey, Mr Giltrap’s best electric records.
