AQUARIUS

This album seems to have taken the prog world by storm. Lots of hype anyway about this almost 73 minute concept album.They incorporate many styles here as well. I must say the cover art is very impressive, in fact for me it's the most impressive thing about this album.

"The Point Of No Return" opens in a bombastic way before this circus-like melody takes over. It settles in once the vocals arrive before 2 minutes. His vocals remind me of one of the singers for FROGG CAFE and I do like them a lot. Some growly vocals though around 5 minutes then that circus melody is back a minute later. It kicks back in then piano arrives after 7 minutes as it settles again. Not for long though. Piano only ends it. "Streams" opens with piano followed by drums and a full sound. Not a fan of the vocals here a minute later. It's heavier after 2 1/2 minutes and vocals are back around 4 minutes. Solo organ 5 minutes in is joined by growly vocals. It settles back 6 1/2 minutes in as normal vocals return.

"Aquarium" opens with atmosphere. Piano before 2 minutes then reserved vocals and a beat. It's fuller before 3 1/2 minutes.Tasteful guitar after 4 minutes. It picks up before 6 minutes with guitar out front. Some nice soaring guitar before 10 minutes. "Eternal Rain" is vocal and drum led a minute in and fairly uptempo.This rocks out pretty good once it gets going. "Drowning In The Flood" has rougher than usual vocals to start then they sound like they normally do. It kicks back in. A calm 4 1/2 minutes in. "Sun" opens with wind as acoustic guitar joins in and organ. Reserved vocals and percussion 1 1/2 minutes in. It's slowly building. "Celestial Elixir" has this flashy intro with drums and piano. Flute before a minute. Organ and piano lead before 2 1/2 minutes. Vocals 4 minutes in. Great sound after 5 minutes. It picks up after 8 minutes. Hey there's that circus-like melody again. Why ? It settles back with vocals before 12 minutes.

There's some really excellent passages on this album but for my tastes this is too much of a mixed bag, and it's another concept album that's too long. 3.5 stars.