Search - Empire :: Mark 1

Peter Banks Tapes Dusted Off After 25 Years.

05/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After dousing the musical fire that was Flash in '74, ex-Yes guitarist Peter Banks immediately set out to form another band. Recruiting his ex-wife (of all people) on lead vocals, and a group of British prog session veterans (Phil Collins also helped out at first) he formed Empire. Think Flash fronted by a rather lame female lead vocalist, and you get the point. Musically, this first album rocks progilly along on par with the first (and best) Flash album. Keyboards are firmly back in the mix, enhancing Banks' fluid guitar work throughout the long, multi-part compositions. Unfortunately, Banks was unable to secure a major label deal and this album (Mark I) sat on the shelf for the next 20-odd years (until One Way stumbled upon three albums worth of dusty Empire tapes). Mark II had a new lineup, was more refined, more slick, but still couldn't attract a major label. Mark III is basically a demo of what would have been a third album of mostly weak, desperately commercial tunes and should probably be avoided. Flash fanatics should definitely check out the first two, though."

Sounds better each play

K. Cooper | Phila. area | 01/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, a really good 70s album that never got released in the 70s. Reminiscent of Flash but with a female singer. Styles are all over the place- 7 songs, 7 styles, 7 different songs. Some arrangements will please Yes fans."