In Tarkus no 38, we reviewed the re-issue of RT’s second (and last) album, Fantasy of Horses, and now the Aztec label has given us the band’s debut – The Armada – this one also in a beautiful digipak with lots of info and a fresh interview with the band’s leader Julian Browning.

Musically, The Armada is quite similar to Horses, i.e. mellotron-dripping Crimson-inspired advanced prog. The Armada may lack some of the finesse of the second album, but is still an impressive work with an almost classical structure. The eight-member band (plus choir) manages to create a powerful and detailed musical expression. Vocalist Keith Hoban used to sing in a choir besides RT, and his operatic voice makes this original and personal music even more distinctive. Two long four-part compositions open and close the album, and the band is at its best when they get to develop various themes. A brass section in addition to a traditional rock line-up does in no way create a ”soul”-feeling, on the contrary, the band uses the brass more like Gentle Giant or KC’s Lizard. An essential record!

Even The Armada has a bonus track in the shape of a movement from one of Julian Browning’s symphonies – this time ”Icarus” from Symphony no 8 from 1996.

© 2007 Tarkus Magazine

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