DRUID — Toward the Sun (1975-2015) RM | SHM-CD | Progressive Rock 1300 Collection Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Although it's not on the same level as the best progressive bands -- the drums and keyboards are not really up to the challenge presented by the guitars -- this album has been rather unfairly written off by some music critics. Their debut begins with their strongest composition: "Voices," whose multiple movements, chorus lyrics of "a million voices singing," broad washes of mellotron, and alternating guitar tones make it sound like an outtake from Yes's "The Ancient." The instrumental "Theme" has some fine jazz-prog sax soloing over a lush backing, and "Dawn of Evening" has a wonderfully taut bassline march pushed to the front of the mix. Paul Collins

Tracklist :
1 Voices 8:13
2 Remembering 5:24
3 Theme 5:24
4 Toward The Sun 5:03
5 Red Carpet For An Autumn 3:10
6 Dawn Of Evening 10:02
7 Shangri-La 10:11
Credits :
Bass Guitar – Neil Brewer
Drums, Percussion – Cedric Sharpley
Guitar, Vocals – Dane
Keyboards – Andrew McCrorie-Shand

DRUID — Fluid Druid (1976-2015) RM | SHM-CD | Progressive Rock 1300 Collection Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Despite the more complex arrangements and varied lyrics of this album, it's somehow not as satisfying as their debut. Songs meant to sound grand simply sound pompous -- a charge often (and tiresomely) leveled at prog bands, but warranted at times here. Similarly, Dane tries hard to shake his Jon Anderson label, but the overenunciated and mannered style that he adopts instead is grating; the result often veers fearfully close to Styx. There are some successful tracks, though -- the pleasant interpolation of a children's choir and carousel organ in "Crusade," the soaring guitar solos on "Painters Clouds," and the pensive woodwinds and piano in the long instrumental intro of the album's high point, "Left to Find."  Paul Collins
Tracklist :
1. Razor Truth (5:41)

2. Painters Clouds (4:59)
3. FM 145 (2:10)
4. Crusade (7:52)
5. Nothing But Morning (4:10)
6. Barnaby (3:13)
7. Kestrel (3:37)
8. Left To Find (7:18)
9. The Fisherman's Friend (0:45)
Total time 39:45
Line-up / Musicians
Dane - Guitars, Vocals
Andrew McCrorie-Shand - Keyboards
Neil Brewer - Bass
Cedric Sharpley - Drums, Percussions