Flash: Featuring Ray Bennett & Colin Carter

Releasing their first album in some four decades, progressive semi-legends Flash return (or at least the cumbersomely titled Flash Featuring Ray Bennett and Colin Carter return) with two original members, seven news songs, a cover version and an old track reworked. Initially formed way back in 1971 around ousted Yes guitarist Peter Banks, the band was completed by bassist Bennett, vocalist Carter and drummer Mike Hough, with Banks' ex-Yes mate Tony Kaye adding keyboards for debut album Flash in 1972. In The Can followed later the same year, with Out Of Our Hands seeing the light of day a further twelve months down the line, before the foursome went their separate ways. Sporadically reforming over the years Flash finally looked set for a return proper when the original quartet negotiated a comeback, before Banks and Hough decided not to commit. Undaunted Bennett who handles bass and lead guitar here and Carter, vocals and additional guitar, forged ahead, bringing in Mark Pardy and Paul Pace (both on drums) and Rick Daugherty (keyboards) to complete a new line-up of the band.

Flash were initially known for having a sound that while far from a straight copy, did rely on their Yes connection for inspiration. Although a harder edge was evident in this band's prog, while a less keyboard oriented attack on later albums also varied things somewhat. However with neither ex-Yesee in sight here, what Flash Featuring Ray Bennett and Colin Carter come across as, is more a straight 70s inspired rock band with prog leanings and a cool retro production. In fact initial encounters reveal very little in the way of what we've come to expect as "prog", although these intricacies do become more apparent as you revisit "Into The Sun", "Morpheum" and "Richerd Of Venice". The latter especially feels more drawn out and intent on taking its time to come to a conclusion through some poised piano work, while the atmosphere is heightened through chiming bells and ever swirling guitars. "Night Vision" on the other hand drives along while colliding an early Uriah Heep vibe to the only obviously Yesisms on this release, becoming the album's standout track in the process.

A reworked "Manhattan Morning" adds a little more retro cool, although if you've never heard this song before it certainly feels neither out of place or dated (in the context of an album that never intends to be exactly "cutting edge"). Although the chosen cover version is a bit of a misjudgement. Not because it is poor, but when a song not only has a very distinctive flavour of its own, but has already been definitively covered already, then attempting another reinterpretation is brave at best and foolish at worst. Written by Trent Reznor "Hurt" is already a Nine Inch Nails classic, while even by Reznor's reckoning Johnny Cash actually made the song his own with a stunning, heart tearing reimagining that still hits as hard now as the first time you heard it. Flash unfortunately add nothing new with their perfectly serviceable version.

For fans of Flash, this reformation of two of the lead players in the band will be a reason for celebration, although I'm not convinced that even they will be exactly bowled over by an album that sounds safe and polite. Others with less long term interest may not even be that excited, even if there's nothing in sight worth complaining about. That said this is a solid, if unspectacular comeback and there's no doubt the authentic 70s production adds an aspect much missed in most of today's super-produced era. However with progressive and rock choices at a maximum and money at a premium, Flash may have to burn brighter than this to truly recapture the imagination.

Track Listing
1. Night Vision
2. Hurt
3. Something So Dark
4. Manhattan Morning
5. Into The Sun
6. Grand Canyon
7. Morpheum
8. 10,000 Movies
9. Richerd Of Venice

Added: June 28th 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
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Language: english

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