SHUTDOWN

Despite their italian name Stromboli, they were and czech art rock - art pop (on their second album) band from mid to late'80s. Conducted by excellent guitarist Michal Pavlicek, a well known name aswell in jazz rock realm, he was part of Bohemia in late '70s, a top band from this country and from eastern Europe. Well, Stromboli on their second release from 1989 named Shutdown change the direction from previous album (was a prog jazz rock album) selftitled issued two years prior into more art rock, art pop elctro prog stuff, not bad at all, despite some negative reviews I saw here and there. I like it, is diverse but in same time compact, even suffers from that late '80s plastic production. A plus for me is the excellent voice of Bára Basiková, really great voice, a special track is the opening Abacus, - absolutly killer tune with a gothic atmosphere, one of my fav songs ever any genre, her voice shine all through. , the guitar parts are aswell top , Michal Pavlicek handle the guitar with an exemplary ease on every piece. Another highlights are Sandonorico and the title track. As I said I like this album quite much, is experimental is almost pop in places but without being comercial, is art prog and has all the elements for a good album. Considered their worse from the two, I think Shutdown desearves attention, even for prog listners. So, easely 3.5 stars for me,