Ethos - Relics (1973-75) (Compilation, 2000)

Artist: Ethos
Title Of Album: Relics
Year Of Release: 1973-75/2000
Label (Catalog#) Black Moon [BMP1003]
Country: USA
Genre: Symphonic Prog Rock
Bitrate: Lossless
Quality: Flac (*image + .cue,scans)
Time: 01:02:48
Full Size: 385Mb

Ethos biography
Founded in Fort Wayne, USA in 1973 - Disbanded in 1978

Here is an excellent example of the US Progressive rock scene of the Seventies: having both technique and excellence, imagination & talent. They seemed to be influenced by a variety of styles. Their sound was a little folky at times, poppy at others, even a little jazzy at times, loosely in the shadow of KANSAS, YES, GENESIS, early KING CRIMSON and others, with lots of vocals everywhere.

This CD (running time 62 minutes) is a compilation of four studio - and six live tracks, recorded between '73 and '75. The demo-studio tracks contain strong instrumental pieces (wonderful Mellotron eruptions, fiery electric guitar, harpsichord/electric guitar duel) with hints from Yes but the compositions sound more like a jam and at some moments a bit freaky/fragmentic. The live songs are more in the vein of Genesis featuring more variety (acoustic guitar, strings) and many Mellotron floods. The highlight is "Pimp city dream" (almost 18 minutes): a first part with a compelling bombastic climate, evoked by intricate interplay between a fiery electric guitar and moving Mellotron (a bit similar to Anekdoten), accompanied by cynical vocals. Halfway it's complete silence, followed by a Glenn Miller like piece, guitar-organ interplay and a heavy organ solo. The final part includes a fluent rythm delivering R&R guitar and bombastic organ runs. THIS IS ONE OF THE BETTER USA PROGROCK BANDS!

Tracks:
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01. Nightingale
02. Elephant Man
03. Placebo
04. Identity
05. Experimental War
06. Troilus And Cressida
07. Intrepid Traveler
08. Doing Your Duty
09. Perceptions
10. Pimp City Dream

Personnel:
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Will Sharpe - Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Voice
Michael Ponczek - Hammond B-3, Mellotron, Mini-Moog, ARP String Machine, Orchestron, Clavinet, Chamberlain
Mark Richards - Percussions, Drums
Steve Marra - Bass, ARP 2600 Synthesizer, Flute, Voice (Tracks 1-8, 10)
Dan Owen - Bass, Vocals (Tracks 9, 10)
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Tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 recorded at Thiele Road home studio in 1974.
Tracks 4 and 11 ecorded live at Electric Flag Concert in 1974.
Tracks 9 and 10 recorded on home equipment in 1973.

All thanks to original releaser