Ashes Are Burning
Ashes Are Burning places the voice and piano at the centre of Renaissance's progressive rock. Annie Haslam's clear singing gives the music much of its character, while John Tout's keyboards and Jon Camp's melodic bass keep the arrangements active. Acoustic guitar and orchestral colour help the record move between folk songs and larger pieces without needing constant electric force.
Can You Understand opens on a broad scale. Piano establishes a strong musical theme, with bass and strings adding weight before the singing takes over. The instrumental introduction has enough direction to make the arrival of Haslam's voice feel like a development of the piece. The different parts work together rather than simply providing a large backdrop.
Let It Grow uses a more direct melody. The piano and bass remain attractive, and Haslam gives the singing plenty of warmth. The sweetness is also a limitation, though. The song is less interesting than the stronger writing around it, with the quality of the performance doing more work than the material itself.
On the Frontier restores some movement through its acoustic guitars, piano and layered voices. Carpet of the Sun is brighter and more compact, combining a folk-like melody with strings and active drumming. These shorter pieces give the album a useful sense of lightness between its more expansive arrangements.
At the Harbour moves into a quieter mood. Tout's piano and Haslam's singing create a reflective setting, allowing the record to reduce its scale without losing its atmosphere. The change makes the return to a longer form feel natural.
The closing title track brings the musicians together particularly well. Piano, bass and vocal harmonies support a gradual increase in intensity, with Andy Powell's guest guitar giving the later music a stronger edge. Its length allows the arrangement to develop, and the instrumental section has enough purpose to justify the space.
The record's gentle character will not suit every taste, and Let It Grow does soften its impact. Yet the strongest pieces show how much force can come from melody, careful arrangement and expressive singing. Ashes Are Burning is an elegant progressive rock album whose ambition remains closely connected to its songs.
