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Customer Reviews of Masques

More great progressive fusion
Masques was their fourth album, but their third studio album (since Livestock was a live recording). The band witness a lineup change here. Phil Collins was not present. That was probably due to the fact he was touring with Genesis at the time, in support of what was then their latest album, ...And Then There Were Three. A guy by the name of Chuck Burgi filled in. Also keyboardist Robin Lumley decided to step down from his keyboard set (just for this album) and produced the album instead. The new keyboardist was Peter Robinson. This guy had performed with Quatermass (a progressive hard rock band that had a lot more in common with Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Atomic Rooster and ELP than of Brand X), and if I'm not mistakened, another band called Suntreader. But this guy had no problem filling in Lumley's shoes, as he too stuck with the Mini Moog, piano, electric piano, and Roland String synth. Really, this new lineup change didn't hurt the band, as the opening cut, "The Poke" demonstrated. "Masques" is one of those pieces that is mostly dominated by Percy Jones fretless bass work. "Black Moon" is a nice, pleasant number, definately one of the most accessible pieces on the album. Nice melodies too. The band starts getting much more adventurous with "Deadly Nightshade" and continues with the next three cuts, culminating in the lengthy "The Ghost of Mayfield Lodge". My only real complaint of this album is some of the solos go on too long, but this is still excellent material. Still, recommended if you progressive fusion.

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Inspirational
I was introduced to Brand X when I was about 17 and this album had just been released - in fact Tommy Vance played a track on 'The Friday Rock Show'. (Remember that?) The effect was instantaneous, and unusually long-lasting. The technique and expertise is so far beyond that of most rock music that you can't fail to be impressed although the melodies sometimes take a while to fully embed themselves. Once they have, they're with you forever. Give it around 5 listens to get the full benefit. There's something haunting about the way John Goodsall's guitar doesn't always sound like a guitar, but just seems to express SO MUCH; those wonderful analogue keyboards which really sing and the magical interplay between the drums, percussion and frantic yet controlled bass playing. How come this sort of stuff doesn't get airplay any more? For heaven's sake buy it - if you don't instantly like it you need educating anyway and it'll certainly do that for you!

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Prog-Rock/Fusion Superbly Realized
I recently picked up a scratched-up vinyl copy of this and found myself listening to it over and over, despite all the snaps, crackles, and pops. I'm amazed how great it is and that I didn't own it before.

If you like any two of the following albums, "No Mystery," "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway," "Heavy Weather," "The Grand Wazoo," then you will enjoy "Masques." Yes, it's that simple.

A note to bass afficionados: If you crave Jaco-style playing, Percy Jones will deliver your fix.

About the cover art: Doesn't seem to be apropos of anything, but it is kind of interesting to contemplate as one considers the state of the world.