GALAHAD: The Long Goodbye (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The containment has not been a waste of time for everyone. Three releases in three years for Galahad, who after a collection of old tracks grouped together in 'Other Crimes Vol 2 and 3' in 2021 followed by a studio album 'The Last Great Adventurer' a year later, offer us in 2023 their latest opus, 'The Long Goodbye'. With its five tracks, including a 13-minute epic at the end of the album followed by two bonus tracks, the band still seems to have a lot to say.

There's no need to change a motivated team, as last year's line-up has been retained in its entirety, including the production, once again entrusted to Karl Groom (Threshold). Nor is there any change to the writing process, Galahad's style being instantly recognisable with its many electro introductions that immediately set the mood and its light, accessible, harmonious progressive rock devoid of dissonance. The whole thing is perfectly executed, the melodies are easy to remember, Stuart Nichols' vocals have retained their expressive, almost theatrical quality, and the solos are always effective and timely.

However, after a dozen albums, the Galahad machine is showing signs of running out of steam. Starting with a recipe that is starting to become well known to fans, and which evolves only slightly with each release. The electro aspects don't always come across as strongly as before, and the melodies sometimes lack impact. Finally, a few artistic choices break the mood a little, such as the far too long a capella intro on 'The Righteous And The Damned' and the placement of the two bonus tracks at the end of the album, a decision which is certainly logical, but which breaks the concluding effect of the eponymous track.

You'll need to stay alert if you don't want to fall into a certain torpor, and you'll need to be patient, as the tracks only reveal their full flavour after several listens. While the excellent solos regularly grab your attention, with particularly interesting and varied bass playing, it's the epic track 'The Long Goodbye' that ends the album on an excellent note. Perfectly structured, it alternates atmospheres to end on an orchestral climax with backing vocals and a long, superb guitar solo.

Those who discover Galahad through 'The Long Goodbye' will not fail to underline all the qualities of a band that has no shortage of them. As for the others, they'll no doubt be torn between the pleasure of finding themselves back on familiar ground and the impression that they're missing that little something that made some of Galahad's previous works unmissable. - Official website

GALAHAD

THE LONG GOODBYE

AUTOPRODUCTION

PROGRESSIVE ROCK