IMAGENESS

Almost metal passages during "Chain Reaction", emotionless opening track ("Line Of Force") with pitiful "Yes" oriented vocals led me to a rather harsh feeling: I have globally not too much positive things to say about this album.

The typical clone with little creativity in comparison with the GIANT model. It sounds really pitiful at times (to say the least). The first acceptable track is the good "Metamorphosis" which holds some very good keyboards and bass work, offers several theme changes (thanks to its length: just over ten minutes) and decent vocals. Even if, again, the shadow of the Mighty One is there (I guess that you know the one I mean).

The fading out reminds me of "Supper's Ready". Would you believe??? This might well be one of their best song so far (from "Ageness" I mean).

Now, the epic... "Sequels" clocks at over twenty six minutes. You might know that I'm not per se thrilled with epics. It is not because a song last for over fifteen minutes (which is my concept of an epic, although "The Musical Box" or "Child In Time" could enter into this concept thanks to some extraordinary performances, skills, maestria, talent etc.).

After an awful start, the song evolves into a "Trespass" territory and I have to admit that this passage is quite nice to listen to. But I'm talking about a nostalgic point of view only. Not as a fan of a creative band which "Ageness" is not too much. These sounds are nicely bouncing me back to my teens though (a very, very long time ago, unfortunately).

Everything you can expect from a neo-prog band is here: the Hackett acoustic parts, the Banks keyboards etc. Still, I must say that this "Sequels" offers some very good moments and that the global balance is on the good side.

This epic won't turn this album into a masterpiece of course (let's be serious) but according to my own standards, it raises "Imageness" to the three stars level. A good album (thanks to the last two numbers).