Some of the instrumental passages remind me of Tubular Bells with a clear cut production and virtuoso playing that didn't bear the murky, noisy chaotic textures of Psychedelia or Jazz. Instead a more atmospheric, sci-fi trip, the elephant sounding horns that ominously arise in Talking Drums and Exiles are very Prog and cinematic, while the title track combines this hard hitting prog rock with a Jazzy signature to create again a cinematic score or movement perfect as background for a scene from Soylent Green, Logan's Run etc.
That clear cut but odd sounding prog rock melody would be most commercially realised in Easy Money, a very pop track yet very brilliant song overall from this album. Powered by an incredible stomp of a rock riff complete with stamping feet like marching soldiers whilst the bell tolls and harmonies waver off. The quiet verses feature kooky sound effects like a snake rattle, splitting elastic and crunching sound for a heart break, it reminds me of 10cc like flourishes whilst a sparse reggae beat of guitar strikes and steel drum provides backing. There are ominous ringing sounds and unexpected dissonant crashes to go along with it, before Robert Fripp breaks out a jazzy and very robotic solo that goes along with the monolithic crunch of the song's central riff returning again from the beginning. There is some misty organ work too along with some arpeggios to colour the arrangement before a final rave up of bluesy wailing of both guitarist and vocalist and organs.
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