Classic American and British prog come to mind when listening to Hoop of Flame, the ambitious second album from U.S.-based band Mind Furniture. Elements of Kansas, Marillion, Jethro Tull and even Gary "Dreamweaver" Wright abound on the disc — which consists of two lengthy five-part suites.
The album opens with "The Trial," a 23-and-a-half-minute piece about, well, a trial, and it's filled with plenty of classic prog references. The nearly half-hour title track is more of the same, with marginally more-imaginative arrangements and slightly catchier choruses. Mind Furniture has plenty of chops — three of its five members are also in the prog bands Metaphor and New Sun — but these songs lack the hooks and emotions necessary to keep listeners committed to only two songs for almost an hour. Sadly, Hoop of Flame is pleasant enough, but nothing more. (Cool band name, though.)
Track Listing:
1) The Trial
i) The Summons
ii) The Prosecution
iii) The Outcry
iv) The Defense
v) The Verdict
2) Hoop of Flame
i) Shiva, pt. 1
ii) Soon Be Gone
iii) Between Two Voids
iv) Glimpse of a Chance
v) Shiva, pt. 2