Elegant Simplicity has been a pleasant knowing for me for quite a long time now. This is their fourth and newest CD release. Actually it's their eleventh release all in all, as they have been releasing music since 1992 on cassette, and began releasing CDs in 1996. Elegant Simplicity is basically a one man as all songs are played, composed and arranged by multi-instrumentalist Steven McCabe. Ken Senior from the progressive rock outfit Evolution is listed as special guest, and he is handling the lead and backing vocals. Ken has been singing on Elegant Simplicity's albums since the release of the first CD.

Elegant Simplicity is a mix between Tony Banks, Beatles, Camel, Caravan, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Brian Hirsch, Indeed, IQ, Jean Michel Jarre, Jeremy, Jethro Tull, Mike Oldfield, Pendragon, Pink Floyd and Spock's Beard. The music is rather quiet melodic progressive rock, maybe a little bit to quiet, with keyboards and guitar as the main instruments.

The highlights are "A Cradle Of Stars" that is the albums best track, "Afraid To Wake", "Out Of Reach", "Love, Loss And Desire" and "Nature And Man". Overall the songs are quieter and more melancholic on this album than on the previous albums.

The only negative things are the use of drum machine. Elegant Simplicity would benefit from having a real drummer instead. The other thing is the vocals that are good, but definitely not great as they sometimes sounds somewhat weak.

The CD booklet is very nice with many 3D-studio artworks made by Steven McCabe. A multi talented man! This is perhaps Elegant Simplicity's best album up to date. Highly recommended!!!