Quiet Point - Beyond The Quiet Point

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Quiet Point - Beyond The Quiet Point

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First released in 1987 on cassette, this fine album at last gets a rerelease on CD - and with five extra tracks included. Paul Ward and Neil Thompson, as a duo, shone briefly but brightly and this album is a fitting testament to their talent. The comments in the ZENITH #1 review of this album still remain true here, except that the CD medium has really brought the sound to life with plenty of top end and thudding deep bass. The title track still sounds fresh and tight even today, while the original 'Taken to a Place' basks in the clarity of digital yet still retains all the power and poise of a classic EM track. The choppy bass synth and thudding drums on 'Junk Food' sound particularly impressive, while the thoughtful 'Attrition' can now be enjoyed rather than wondering how much of the wow and flutter is attributable to the delights of the compact cassette format. 'Change of Hand' and 'Empty Corridors sound like completely new tracks such is the improvement, while the searing MiniMoog solos on 'Scream in Darkness' are simply stunning. 'The Hunt' rounds the original album off and I still particularly enjoy the deep sequenced sections of this track. 'Untitled 1' features great sequencers and lead synth during the opening section, then changes to a more thoughtful outing during the mid point. To close the uptempo style is revisited. 'Untilted 2' is an interesting juxtaposition of harpsichord synth and rasping synth, and 'Untiled 3' starts in barrel organ style then develops into an excellent prog synth outing. 'Scream… (live)' really is a sound to behold, while 'Telstar' is huge fun. Both tracks were recorded at Klemdag '91. I'm particularly impressed with the way this CD resurrection has turned out. Quality music deserves quality sound, and the original tracks here sound very potent indeed. The untitled nature of the extra tracks show that they are little more than extended ideas, though 'Untitled 1' has its moments and the live cuts are most welcome. If you've already got the tape, then you'll probably have already bought this CD. If you haven't, then I'd advise you try this classic from the 80's which still kicks ass in the 90's.