Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Prog | Heft: Jahrgang 2012, eclipsed Nr. 137 / 2-2012 | VÖ-Jahr: 2012 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Just For Kicks | Autor: AS
With his third album - a conceptual work about a musician who seeks to distil magical sounds from his dreams - the incognito multi-instrumentalist behind The Psychedelic Ensemble is much more accessible than on "The Art Of Madness" and "The Myth Of Dying". The 63-minute journey is therefore less strenuous and offers not only exciting sound events but also more song moments. This is also due to the fact that more space is given to singing this time. The opener "Overture Into The Night" sets the mood for the album: dark, mid-tempo, catchy, full of retro-progocals and catchy melodies. Often Emerson, Lake & Palmer sound, with analog synths and sequencers, sometimes classical ("The Quest"), sometimes sacral ("The Benefaction Of The Noble Wizard"). "The Secrets Of Your Mind" convinces with complex vocal arrangements. In contrast "Listen To Me" reminds vocally and rhythmically of Yes. This is followed by classical guitars à la PFM, a virtuoso polyphonic bass solo as well as tull and magma echoes. What more does Retroprogger want?
Top track: Strange Days