Search - Multi-Story :: East-West

A forgotten gem from the 80's Prog Rock revival

S. BYRNE | Sudbrook, UK | 01/10/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A UK band who never quite reached the heights, this album suggested they might have attained.
Hot on the heels of Marillion, Pallas and Pendragon, were Multi Story. Although more commercial than those mentioned, they show their progressive roots in the well constructed epic songs on the album.
The 8 songs are laid out so that the listener gets 2 shortish commercial tracks then 2 big songs. This works surprisingly well.
"East West", the title track, is a slow, yet powerful song refering to the Cold War years (this was the 80's), similar in feel to "Mama" by Genesis.
"Breaking Ground" is a catching song, which should have been played to death on the airwaves. "I'm breaking new ground, I've learned from my mistakes". Believe me, a few plays and it will have you hooked.
"Traveller" is the first epic style track. It has a slow atmospheric opening,with keyboards and vocals building to a rousing fianle.
"Ahead Of Yor Time" is the track for me. Flowing keyboards, intricate melodic bass lines, soaring vocals, a guitar solo to die for and the drums driving it along, with finesse.
"Carrie" is back to a the commercial theme. Slow verse and powerful chorus. Very catchy.
"Come Alive" is another that should have filled the airwaves, proclaiming the thrill that only live music can give someone.
"The Wire" and "Heroes" are the 2 epics to close the album and they do in some style.
"The Wire" contains some lovely tempo changes and has a wonderful guitar and keyboard run, towards the end.
"Heroes" is strong, punchy, closing number. vaguely reminisant, in feel to Marillion's "Garden Party".
In "The Wire", the vocalist sings "The cream always flows straight to the top", unfortunatelty for these guys, someone else got the cream and they, sadly, faded away.
Such promise on a debut album, is a rarity.
If you love this style of music, you should own this. A definate collector's item !"