Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Little Tragedies - New Faust CD (album) cover

NEW FAUST

Little Tragedies

Symphonic Prog

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Bookmark and Share
erik neuteboom
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars One of my favorite albums of the last years is Return by the Russion formation Little Tragedies. So I was very excited to hear that they had just released a 2-CD, after a first listening session I can only conclude that Little Tragedies is a new progrock sensation! The focus is on the bombastic keyboard play, this man is obviously inspired by Keith Emerson featuring flashy synthesizer runs and swirling Hammond organ but he also delivers some delicate harpsichord play in more mellow parts. The interplay with the powerful, harder- edged guitar work is very exciting, it often sounds like a blend of ELP and Ayreon because of the heavy, propulsive guitar riffs and fiery, flowing guitar soli. The Russion vocals give an extra dimension to the music, it often reminds me of Hungarian progrock band Omega. Despite the two CD's and the long running time of some tracks (even at about 30 minutes), Little Tragedies never bores, I am sure that many progheads who love ELP, the keyboard driven Japanese prog like Gerard and Ayreon will be delighted about this outstanding, very exciting Russian formation!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Report this review (#82974)
Posted Thursday, July 6, 2006 | Review Permalink
Prog-jester
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars OK,firts of all,I ain't fan of ELP and keyboard-driven prog as a whole.And I didn't like the first one from MALENKIE TRAGEDIYI(Little Tragedies) as well.But the second one is much better!!!Despite the awful lyrics,which aren't fit here (edit:the matter of personal taste),the music has become less focused on keyboards only,and compositions are less boring (but 28 minutes of "Two Demons" is too much for me anyway!!!).Great melodical gift of Ilyin can be seen in keyboard-only tracks like "I am Tired to Be Around People","Margarita","Cup of Life" etc,reminding me of early LACRIMOSA a bit - strong melancholy feeling!!! Highly recommended for all Symphonic prog-lovers(even Prog-Metal devotees will find here some RIFFwork!!!) and Russian prog-newbies.For them it is a must

PS:"Confutatis" has astonishing intro!!!

Report this review (#85525)
Posted Thursday, August 3, 2006 | Review Permalink
felonafan
4 stars "New Faust" is symphonic prog album which can compete with contemporary albums by The Flower Kings, Karmakanic, Neal Morse and other famous prog bands. Imagine Emerson- oriented keyboard-playing, almost prog-metal guitar riffs, very complicated and sophisticated compositions, cool melodies, presence of both bombastic and mellow elements, strong vocals in Russian, and... and nevetheless you should listen "New Faust" in order to get relevant understanding. Yes, to a some extent, I agree with Erik Neuteboom, "Little Tragedies" can be treated as "progrock sensation". But I recommend to listen also more early releases (for example, "Porcelain Pavilion") which contain, perhaps, even more original ideas. I imply that "sensation" is rather old. "New Faust" sounds better and more aggressively, development of compositions is (very) much more complex. The only minus for me is some similarity with Prog-Rock Mainstream. Sometimes "New Faust" creates impression that I listen young Emerson playing in a contemporary ("soft") prog- metal band. However, I would like to note that impression is created only by some excerpts from Disc One. Disc Two does not generate such impressions and is much more original (and almost masterpiece). In conclusion: composing talent of Gennady Ilyin is very great, and performance is excellent. Perhaps, it is one of the best prog-rock releases in 2006.
Report this review (#103759)
Posted Wednesday, December 20, 2006 | Review Permalink
b_olariu
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars TOP notch album

Little Tragedies is without doubt one of the best progressive rock bands Russia ever had and has of course. THier music is highly impressive in instrumental arrangem,ents with lots of tempo changes and excellent songwritting. New Faust from 2006 released at Mals is a great example of how Gennady Ilyin the main composer and the head of the band manage to understands music in our days and the final product is simply said excellent. New faust is a double album with almost 2 hours of music, but with all that long musical journy , this album for sure doesn't dissipointing at all, not a boring moment, quite contrary each piece is a total winner, with a plus on the epic closing number from first CD - Two Demons, just brilliant. Little Tragedies has a special way of combining symphonic prog elements with in places I can hear Dream Theater similarities, and special in keyboard departement. They incorporate in their symphonic overall sound some prog metal elements, the result is outstanding. Complicated arrangements with many and long instrumental passages, lots of superb guitar works and keyboards aswell, both Alexander Malakhovsky from guitar and Gennady Ilyin from keyboards and aswell voice are very skillful and gifted musicians and musicaly speaking they understanding each other very strong. Some passage sounds like they were extracted from Dream Theatre - Scene from a memory, very similar in aproach, but in the end not bad at all. New Faust is a fantastic album with many memorable parts that will pleases both symphonic prog listners as prog metal lovers aswell. Easy 4 stars, one of the best albums ever from Russia, this is solid as rock and goes recommended.

Report this review (#934323)
Posted Saturday, March 23, 2013 | Review Permalink

LITTLE TRAGEDIES New Faust ratings only

chronological order | showing rating only

Post a review of LITTLE TRAGEDIES New Faust

You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.