UNIVERSAL MIGRATOR, PART 1: THE DREAM SEQUENCER

I never thought i'd find an AYREON album i'd give 4 stars to but here it is. Yeah this one's different musically from all his others.Very PINK FLOYD-like, spacey and atmospheric. The first time I heard it I thought "Where's the bombast ? Where's the different singers singing their parts to each other like on a musical ?" I'm thankful this album doesn't have those things. I like the concept too, especially when he goes back in time to see himself as a child etc. I have to also mention upfront the vocal display of Damian Wilson. Man i've never heard him sound so good, it was moving. Neal Morse also impresses on vocals but then he usually does for me. While i'm a big Prog-Metal fan i've never liked the way Arjen does it, so this non Prog-Metal album is just the thing for me.

"The Dream Sequencer" is sort of an introduction to the story then the synths and soaring guitar come in. "My House On Mars" opens with a beat as the wind blows (I hear it's windy on Mars). Spoken words before a minute then Floor Jansen comes in vocally. Man I like her singing. Themes are repeated here. "2084" features Lana Lane on vocals starting before 2 minutes.The music picks up a minute later. Gilmour-like guitar before 3 1/2 minutes. Nice. Vocals are back.It's heavier later on before ending with a calm. "One Small Step" opens with percussion and voices. Vocals 2 minutes in then it builds. Organ before 3 minutes and female backing vocals. It settles back as contrasts continue. Excellent guitar before 6 minutes. "The Shooting Company Of Captain Frans B. Cocq" settles into a spacey, electronic-like beat. Processed vocals join in.The guitar cries out until the drums arrive before 4 minutes. Male choir sounds (mellotron?) follow. It kicks in around 7 minutes then settles again quickly.

"Dragon On The Sea" sounds amazing to start with the dark atmosphere and water sounds (here comes the dragon). Lana joins in on vocals after a minute. "Temple Of The Cat" has this uptempo rhythm to it before it settles when the female vocals arrive. Contrasts continue. Strings come and go. "Carried By The Wind" opens with spacey synths as an electonic beat arrives. It kicks in before a minute and Arjen comes in vocally. I like this one a lot. Spacey synths end it. "And The Druids Turn To Stone" opens with strummed guitar as electric guitar joins in and a beat. Damian on vocals before a minute. Man he does not disappoint here. He's one of the highlights for sure. I like the organ work as well on this one. What an uplifting and emotional track. It's not often i'm moved by someone's singing like this. "The First Man On Earth" is where Neal Morse gets to shine. I like the intro with crickets and mellotron. Neal comes in and it all sounds so incredible. Check out the guitar 6 minutes in. It's haunting to end it. "The Dream Sequencer Reprise" is a great way to end it. Spacey with strummed guitar and organ. Soaring guitar joins in. Nice.

Yup 4 stars, I must be dreaming.