ELYDIAN

Hyacintus is not a band, but Argentinian talented multi-instrumentalist Jacinto Corral's nickname in the prog business. Hyacintus' style is typically symphonic, very much in tune with his academic musical leanings and performance skills. Lush orchestra-like keyboard layers, melodically oriented solos on guitar (mostly) and synth, and baroque passages are the most prominent features in 'Elydian', which is a concept album based on a story written by Theo Sperzeld (transcribed in the CD's booklet). The structure and mood of all tracks - or "Actos", as they are labeled on the CD's back cover - are entwined in order to convey the continuity of the events in Sperzeld's story. As a guitarist, Hyacintus' most notable influences seem to be Andrew Latimer (from Camel) as well as Mike Oldfield; as a keyboardist, Rick Wakeman is the most obvious reference. To a certain degree, Elydian could be described as Nude-meets-Return to the Center of the Earth. Most of the percussive sounds are programmed, but it should not lead the reader to thinking that the overall sound is 'cold' or 'techno-oriented': in fact, much of the prototypical melodic sensibility in South American prog is present here. This can be specially noticed on the softer numbers, such as the opening title track, "Marcha hacia Elydian", and "Dubiel", the latter being perhaps the most captivating. Another excellent track is "Prelude", where the classical guitar is featured in a most impressive way, a-la Anthony Phillips. The strongest tracks (4 and 12) are, in my opinion, the less successful, since they fail to properly convey their epic potential with the magnificiency required: maybe it's just a certain flaw in the production, since the compositions turn out to be well accomplished - in fact, the Beethovenish orchestral colours of 'Owerlag' are quite impressive. In general, this is a very good work of symph prog, and Hyacintus is certainly a writer/peerfomer to pay close attention to. His following effort 'Fantasia in Concerto' is another gem... but that's another story.

Very few reviews for this album.

The band (or artist) doesn't belong to the heavy weight of the South American scene of course, but this album holds sufficient good moments to pay attention to it.

The multi instrumentalist Jacinto Corral demonstrates great maestria (with a serious inclination to some Oldfield-esque tendencies like during "Recorriendo Las Calles"). Somewhat pompous at times like during the splendid title track (or "Acto I").

I just feel a bit ashamed that there aren't long numbers with bombastic passages. This work is all instrumental and lacks at times in passion. Still, it is certainly a good album which should be enjoyed by lots of symph prog as I am. As Cesar mentioned in his review, the tact of Anthony Phillips is very present during some tracks.

There are plenty of emotional passages while you are listening to this work ("Dubiel"): guitar or course, but not only. Keyboards are distinctive and very much enjoyable. The minus point maybe is that there not enough moments that lead the listener to a true ecstasy. Maybe somewhat short in terms of song writing as a whole.

As usual, IMHHO, it is very difficult to imagine a storyboard while listening to a pure instrumental album. I made this comment already a long time ago while I was writing my review of the "Snow Goose". I haven't changed my mind.

This "Elydian" album is nice to listen to and should please your ears. But don't expect a masterpiece. A good album, this is how I consider this work. Nothing to blow your ears but a good time to spend.

Hyacintus is the name chosen by Argentinian multi-instrumentalist and singer Jacinto Miguel Corral to fullfill his music dreams and ideas in a personal project.For his first ever release Corral composed all tracks on his own forces and these would be recorded between September 2001 and March 2002 at the Temporal Studios in Buenos Aires with the help by three session musicians on drums, percussion and choirs.This would be called ''Elydian'', a product of Viajero Inmovil Records.

Having a Classical education, Corral proposed an often grandiose, very atmospheric but not always flawless Symphonic Rock album in the vein of THE ENID, FOCUS, JAIME ROSAS or ANDREW ROUSSAK, sometimes with more emphasis on the symphonic than on the rocking side, which is split in 15 short acts.His ideas are quite interesting, some of them are even great, with the tracks having a solid rock instrumentation being undoubtfully the best ones.Corral provides some tasteful guitar chops, lovely acoustic textures, fast piano paces, grandiose synth-driven symphonicism and some trully great atmospheres in these acts, just prooving his talent.His switch from pounding rhythms to delicate melodies to well-crafted solos is very pleasant to say the least.The real flaws of this album though come from the pure symphonically arranged pieces, where the digital technology nothing but helps.While Corral's Classical approach in these specific acts is decent, the plastic sound of keys and the false sound of the string/wind arrangements seem very amateur to an experienced ear.Pitty these ideas are not transformed into a really bombastic musicisnship.

Hyacintus is a project to watch despite some black holes in this release, as most of the pieces sound really great.A nice discovery for all fans of Progressive Rock and especially those deep into Symphonic Rock.Recommended.