The Bob Bath Band ~ USA ~ Pennsylvania

Traces of Illusion (1984)

The Bob Bath Band, from northeastern Pennsylvania (near Scranton), were basically an instrumental guitar based duo with guests and occasional synthesizer accompaniment. Most of the material on Traces of Illusion is subdued, but not sleepy. The songwriting is above average, as actual thought was given to melody. Generally the music continues to drive forward at a steady pace. So there aren't any neck breaking shifts in meters, but rather a more methodical approach is applied. And every once in awhile, ole "Bobby" kicks the pedals into gear and rips off a mean solo. Had he done that throughout the album, it most certainly would have added one to two points to the overall grade. Definitely doesn't sound like an album from 1984, as the tones are still psychedelic edged, and there's none of that mid 80s gloss. Blindfolded I would have gone with the late 1970s for this album.

No reissues as of 3/27/25.

9/29/13 (review); 2/13/20 (update / new entry)