LIALIM HIGH

With such a great debut and Progressive Rock constantly on the rise again, it was rather a surprise that Twin Age were not picked up by a major label.Maybe because the band was way too creative at this point and followed instantly ''Month of the year'' with another album, ''Lialim high''.The quintet from Goethenburg recorded it at the dawn of 97' again at the Studioljudet in their hometown and released it the same year privately under the Altair label.

If ''Month of the year'' was a really good work, this is simply a killer album, where everything flows in perfection and the performances are trully unmistakable.With a couple of very long tracks, one should expect the group to fall in the trap of numerous bands wanting to create epics, but it was apparently the time of Twin Age's creative peak.Excellent GENESIS-influenced Neo/Symphonic Rock with tons of impressive atmospheres, deepy emotional vocals and melodramatic arrangements, highlighted by a very busy drummer, a superb guitarist and one of the most talented keyboardists ever to meet in such kind of a group.Tremendous solos with deep, symphonic keyboards and rapid changes in tempos and climates, while there is a certain theatrical twist in the process.Excellent use of synthesizers, creating orchestral soundscapes, and you should add doses of flute strings around to offer the needed retro vibe in the work.There are also some very good acoustic breaks with beautiful organ themes around and plenty of delicate piano interludes.The songwriting as a result is pretty amazing.Dense musicianship supported by marvelous singing lines and extended instrumental textures with a wide color palette.Impressive to say the least.

You can't go wrong with ''Lialim high''.Not only among the finest Neo Prog releases ever but additionally among the best album of the whole 90'.Masterpiece status, more than highly recommended...4.5 stars upgraded.