I must admit that this is the first Salem Hill record I've ever heard... and I think that I've been missing out (Salem Hill is quite a good band). To my surprise Salem Hill was already formed in 1991 by Groves, Henry and Thomas. According to ProgRock Records' website, Salem Hill's goal was simple: "Make music of creative and artistic merit." This Salem Hill's seventh album 'Be' is a concept album exploring issues like isolation, loneliness, ruination, judgment and abandonment. The story is good and songs complement it. However, when you read and listen to the lyrics, you'll notice that the track order provided is wrong (this review contains an updated tracklist).

Songs on 'Be' contain melodic vocal interplay in the style of Queen, Gentle Giant and Spock's Beard. To describe Salem Hill's music, I'd say: Melodic rock with some elements of progressive rock. The re-listening value of songs is good as the songs won't start to repeat themselves. There's something new with each listen...

Production on this album has been done professionally. The sounds are solid and fitting... Although, concept albums' stories tend to fall flat, lyrics on Be are good (so it isn't a problem on this album)... When Groves was asked about his opinion, he stated without hesitation that "This is easily the best album we’ve ever done."

I was favourably impressed with Salem Hill, and I'll definitely check out their other releases. I guess I could say that the material on this album was of uniform quality. Nevertheless, I liked some songs more than others... Be sure to listen to all the samples at ProgRock Records' website and form your own opinion about Salem Hill... I'm sure that fans of Salem Hill will enjoy this album.

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- MAGE (06.08.2004)

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LINE-UP:
Dearing, Michael: Guitar & Vocals Groves, Carl: Guitar, Vocals & Keyboards Thomas, Kevin: Drums & Vocals Henry, Patrick: Bass
Producer:	Unavailable
Mixing by:	Unavailable
Mastering by:	Groves, Carl

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Reflect 02. Symposium 03. Nowhere Is Home 04. The Great Stereopticon 05. Children of the Dust 06. So Human 07. The Red Pool 08. Underneath 09. Seattle (in Memory of...) 10. Apollyon 11. A Perfect Light 12. Love Won't Save the World 13. I Didn't Come for You 14. Beings 15. Regard Me