Fruupp ~ Northern Ireland

Seven Secrets (1974)

Seven Secrets is the second album from Northern Ireland's favorite sons Fruupp. As you will often read, this album has something of a bad reputation and is to be avoided (even 1 star reviews, suggesting it's awful). But honestly I feel it's unwarranted. The first two tracks totaling near 16 minutes are great - very much in line with the 1973 progressive rock landscape. Certainly not as heavy as their debut Future Legends, but then again Fruupp never did go back to that type of sound, similar to Gravy Train and Jonesy in that way. I enjoy 'White Eyes' as well, a bit too orchestrated perhaps, but nonetheless a solid entry. Side 2 kicks off with 'Garden Lady' and yet another nine minute excellent progressive rock track is presented, following in the footsteps of 'Wise of Wisdom'. And then... it breaks down. But not terrible by any means, just more of an ordinary rock sound with folk and Baroque elements. To my ears, they were foreshadowing their next work The Prince of Heaven's Eyes, which in my mind is the weakest of the Fruupp quartet of albums. 'The Seventh Secret is a throwaway closer, not that dissimilar from many a duff closing moment that talented artists felt compelled to do - for no known reason. As I have mentioned many times in the past, you will find albums that close poorly (and in this case the last 15 minutes), are more likely to receive a negative reaction than those that finish strong - no matter what the contents prior were (Tarkus anyone?). Last impressions I guess.

I see Seven Secrets as a solid effort, with close to 25 minutes of excellent material, and the other 20 as good to very good.

Ownership: 1974 Dawn (LP); 2004 Arcangelo (CD). Papersleeve. Part of the Disk Union box set.

1990 (acquired); 1997; 7/18/19 (review)

Modern Masquerades (1975)

There are a couple of ways at reviewing Modern Masquerades. The normal way would be to go down the path of saying it's the 4th album by the Northern Irish progressive rock band Fruupp, and they've run out of interesting ideas, Side 2 blows, etc...

Or... Or....

You could look at this as a pioneering album by about one or two years. The back cover of the album gives the game away, for all of you that actually own the LP or CD. 

Anyway.... Back in the 90's I called this style "High-Ball Rock". 20 years later, it turns out I was on the right track, but they (the ever present they) gave it another name. Yacht Rock. OK, I like that even better - same idea, but yea, Yacht Rock indeed. Checkmate on that. Sure, it's still progressive rock. Some Yacht Rock albums actually are. In fact, I'm now calling it Yacht Prog.

Me? I like it. It is in this scenario you discover that 'Sheba's Song' is brilliant. You can file this album right next to Kestrel's awesome one album, though it's not quite that good.

Ownership: 1975 Dawn (LP)

1990 (acquired); 1996; 10/22/07; 7/4/15 (review)

7/4/15 (new entry)