Chapter 23 - Flying In The Face Of Conventional Wisdom

1. Big Top
2. Shake Down
3. Come What May
4. Mr C
5. Cold Steal & Neon
6. Shoot The Moon
7. Catch 22
8. Can't Stand The Weather

Album Cover:

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Total Playing Time: 46:07 m:s

Review date: 05/06/2000

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The band's style is best described as progressive AOR with a high keyboard content. With two keyboard players in the band I guess it is no surprise that the Chapter 23 sound relies heavily on this instrument. If you're looking for comparisons then fellow Canadians Saga are the closest I can think of.

Opener, "Big Top", does little more than welcome you to the album. "Shake Down" is an improvement and a lot more memorable. An uptempo catchy tune that reminds me of pomp rockers Styx. The organ and piano really drive "Come What May", which is back into Saga territory. "Mr C" has an AOR start, takes on more progressive elements as it continues, yet keeps that AOR feel thanks to the chorus. The vocals thus far have fallen into the "OK" category with Pierre Lauzon on lead, however keyboard player, Allan Wilmore, is let loose on "Cold Steel & Neon". As a lead vocalist Allan makes a great keyboard player, as his bad Neil Diamond impersonation doesn't help this tune. "Shoot The Moon" has Pierre back on lead vocals, although the instrumental passages grabbed me more than the vocal sections. A lighter slower feel is evident on "Catch 22". The band save their best tune for last. "Can't Stand The Weather" is the longest tune on the album at 7:43 m:s, but is nicely structured and finishes off the album with panache.

"Shake Down", "Mr C" and "Can't Stand The Weather" are the standout tracks & prove the band have plenty of potential. The other songs just don't get that little bit of special help required in the vocals department to lift them. One for Saga or Kansas fans to check out.