Reviewed by Steve Husband

The background to MAE and this trilogy is covered in the "Morning" review so how does this second part "Afternoon" follow on? Again the mini-album is a blend of eight varied tracks commencing with "Good Afternoon" opening in a strong melodic groove that quickly breaks down into almost a lazy afternoon ambiance of sounds that is a sad end to a good track. "Over And Over" is a good mid beat rock number leading into "The Fight Song" with this set's only venture into a traditional rock guitar solo. "In Pieces" and "The Cure" are well crafted songs but the standout track is the instrumental "Falling Into You", for those reflective moments when words would simply get in the way. The final track "Afternoon In Eden" compounds the same rather pretentious approach as the last track on the 'Morning' set with almost three minutes of evening insect sounds that, I guess, most people will listen to once. Sadly, what could have been a good recording falls short through a degree of self indulgent artistic fills rather than interpreting ideas in music as could be experienced in "Two Birds" on the superior 'Morning' project. It is clear that a live show would be a very different experience to simply listening to an album where the sensory experiences are limited and other distractions are present. It is for that fact that the growing use of sound effects rather than musicianship therefore does not really work. Undoubtedly, the absence of a record label has given them more creative freedom than before. But the evidence here is that they are losing focus and indulgence is beginning to creep in. One wonders where 'Evening', the final part of the trilogy, will go.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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