I've owned The Jewel for as long as the album has been available here in the States. And yet after all these years, it just sat passively in my collection. Never thought to get the CD, and primarily kept it for nostalgic reasons. For the year of 2023, this represents the second best listen so far (it was early in January, but just now getting some notes down). I added a +2, taking it to the first division. Not sure why this album didn't resonate with me all this time, especially given that it represents everything I enjoy about neo prog. The tight punchy rhythms, the neo-Genesis style, the Gabriel-esque vocals, the inventive tracks. All the same things I love about IQ are on display here. I suspect part of the problem was that I didn't enjoy anything else by Pendragon. Or did I really give them that much of a chance? There was a certain stigma with some of these acts in the 90s that I subscribed to at that time (long dropped that subscription). I dunno, we'll see someday where I land on that topic, if the option presents itself. Whatever the case, The Jewel really is just that, and transports me back to college browsing through Kerrang magazine, looking for anything remotely prog.
Ownership: LP: 1985 Elusive. Single sleeve. I had this special ordered by a record shop in Lubbock while in college. I doubt it's any more expensive today than it was then, as it remains an easy record to find. This is one of the rare albums (today that is) where I wouldn't mind supplementing with a CD. I don't do that too much anymore.
1985; 3/23/23 (new entry)
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