SHATTERED IMAGE

This album from a previously unknown (to me) Greek band popped up on my youtube recommended list a few weeks ago and I decided to give it a quick listen. I ended up listening to the complete album and immediately found a copy to buy. The first thing that strikes you is that this is heavily influenced by early Marillion. Indeed, snippets of melodies from Script and Fugazi can be heard, mainly on Shattered Ego but also elsewhere. The cover also uses many of the artwork influences of the first 4 Marillion albums. But it's not a direct copy: there's enough of themselves in it to make it an original, not a clone. The musicianship is exceptional and the lovely keyboards/guitar interplay is reminiscent of early Mariliion. But there's nothing of the dramatic anger and bitterness of Fish, and indeed the vocalist is female. She is a superb singer by any standard. The album is a concept album, of a man who has lost faith in himself and his life and is contemplating taking his own life after armed service and the things he had to do. But ultimately, A Scent of Spring seems to suggest that he comes through the dark winter and Looking at the Sunrise suggests hope for the future. But the bottom line is that every track is a delight. It's hard to pick any stand out track, but Shattered Ego and The Haze are truly exceptional pieces of music. There's simply no bad moments on this album: as a listening experience, it's absolutely sublime. Since I got it, I have found it very difficult to put anything else on the car CD player. For 45 years, if anyone asked me what was my favourite album of all time, I could answer, without hesitation, The Snow Goose by Camel. If anyone asked me now, I would have to think a bit longer. This might be controversial, but I love it so much it's getting 5*.