Think Floyd Beyond Boundaries Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'The Maze')

My first contact with TF which is surprising given I'm a big fan of the genuine article. I'm not a great fan of the tribute band "thing", although I have seen the Australian Pink Floyd and they were surprisingly good but I wouldn't want to buy an album of inferior cover versions. TF however, have taken things further by recording original material uncannily close in style to their mentors. l have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this album. After the moody atmospheric instrumental introduction 'Fragments', 'Here Now' a melodramatic and powerful opening featuring Mizen's Gilmour-like power chords gives way to a downbeat song confidently delivered by Tony Red's sullenly accurate vocals with anthemic verses lyrically closer to latter day Waters-less Floyd. Pretty damn good it is too.

Curiously 'Chemicals', the third track, reminded me of The Alan Parsons Project on the keyboard introduction, (as well as the sleeve), and at 9 minutes is the longest track on offer here and features some good keyboard work by Rick Melville and fine acoustic guitar by Ed Hudson. 'Wasted Powers' keeps up the quality with more Floydian trademarks like Ivan Olitzka's saxophone adding to the intensity of the climaxes. 'Interflection' is a short acoustic guitar instrumental backed by keyboards and bass and it works superbly providing a reflective interlude to the more powerful rock numbers. 'The Maze' captures the mood of alienation prevalent in Pink Floyd's music but also manages to capture the elements of melodicism which makes their music so distinctive as does 'Leave No Trace'.

'Sea of Dreams' is a more lyrical piece with rich keyboard textures and female vocals evoking a dream-like atmosphere perfectly complemented by the lyrics. Two more fine instrumentals complete the set 'Rebirth' and 'Awakening'. The former, again reminded me of the Alan Parsons Project (Another Floyd tribute band? ), but Mizen's tasteful Gilmouresque licks reminded me of the classic guitar solo on 'One of these Days', high praise indeed. 'Awakening' concludes the set in grand classical style proving beyond doubt that this band are fine musicians and composers in their own right. With the lack of new music from P.F., 'The Wall' live concert album excepted, this album really deserves the attention of a large audience. l must now investigate Think Floyd's back catalogue post haste. (SR)

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