I Spider - WEB***

Concerto For Bedsprings/I Spider/Love You/Ymphasomniac/Always I Want

With a new vocalist the British progressive group Web released their most critically acclaimed album I Spider, which featured a more jazzy sound. After a change of name they would split the following year.

“This was among the strongest progressive albums of the year. There's nothing quite like it - the subtle jazzy harmonies, playful nature of the melodic foundation and odd British eccentricities in the chords. The huge jazz influence, plus its tongue-in-cheek narratives, gives me an impression of the beloved Canterbury sound.”

“Very good progressive jazz rock with lots of fuzz guitar and excellent organ play. This is a little trippy and the keyboards soar. In the right frame of mind, this is an exceptional recording.”

“Although the album includes just five songs all are really versatile and more or less fantastic, and the instrumental work is really impressive. This is one where it's pretty much impossible to choose the standout tracks because all the songs are superb.”

“Web consists of the usual quartet plus sax and vibraphone, the latter giving them a totally unique sound. The star is the keyboard player who wrote all the songs and sings also. His keyboard solos are very unorthodox as he has free reign to play over top of the song structure.”

“Free jazz influenced prog rock that drifts off into pointless instrumental meandering in places, but on the whole, is a very good effort. The most accessible track is Ymphasomniac, which starts off jazz-like but morphs into the more typical commercial prog rock sound of the period.”

“A cracking album that pushes the boundaries of jazz dissonance but still keeps it all within an acceptable level. It remains constantly and consistently interesting and has some memorable moments. For the band members involved it can be considered a great legacy.”

“Web at this stage had moved on from their bluesy slightly jazzy psych period, into the more trendy progressive rock that was infiltrating all UK bands at the time. Highly melodic, perhaps melancholic, rock music with guitar, organ and sax, and maybe best of all, the mournful vocals.”