CLEPSYDRA

The musical inspirations for this act seems to be the mellower parts of Pink Floyd's back catalogue and Robin Trower circa "Bridge of Sighs". And especially in the subdued compositions this blend is intriguing. Warm, gentle, echoing psychedelic guitar licks and soloing on top of slow to mid paced bass lines is a mixture I've always been fond of, and this outfit are among the better I've heard in creating such efforts.

Their more energetic ventures fails to thrill me that much though - although not poor efforts as such the harder hitting tracks of a more distinct blues-rock oriented approach, at times with more of a vintage sounding art rock expression, are rather more genereic sounding affairs, but negatively impacted by the one major flaw in their line-up - the lead vocals.

Heavily accented and indistinct in pronouncation, the vocals distract in a negative manner throughout. While the voice itself mostly suits these musical exploits, the combination of slurry singing and heavy accent did put me off. High quality instrumental passages is the saving grace for this effort though, and I'd think that quite a few with a soft spot for Trower's "Bridge of Sighs" may find at least a select few efforts on this disc to be of interest.

At first lookin' at the sleeve, you can find the story not as bright as under the sun. You bet, from the beginning weeping guitar sound should hit our minds and impressive voice can drag us on the dark ground. Open Your Eyes - Clouds, from the first to the second track the stream is really such as above mentioned. Woo, I was afraid I couldn't listen till the end in my right mind. :-) Depressive? No, not only so...Majestic 12 \ Eyes Only is with heavier wow-wow guitar sounds. A voice solo even can kick the guitar and rhythm sections. Frequently altered rhythm should boil us listeners. Now I consider in this work one of the important stuffs is exactly Fabio's guitar solo. Like hitting and blowing all the instruments away... A slow and sad, but loud (GORI-GORI) bass solo leads us to the next song Something Injury. However, here no suspicion about low tone and sticky, slimy voice. Exotica has three parts. On the first and the last, with eccentric drumming, sitar and feminine scat put exotic, Oriental flavour. Sadly, I can't understand how the middle part be related with the others...independent? Hmm...starting the middle one, suddenly floating and cloudy, but pop and catchy sound comes. Why does it change as such? A little surprising. But there's such an impressive sound as the last drowsy and strong electric guitar one. ;-) Albuquerque may be a stable-on-the-earth song? I think at least this sound is one of its characteristics. Of course, even more depressive and heavier. So, for me voice hears rather than vivid, ha-haa! ...After 3 minutes passed, again a guitar solo runs up and down, from right to left...very lyrical and twisted sound. The next stuff Tabasco at sunrise is a relax here for me. One, two, three, GO! Hut, hut...hopping and tapping rhythm is made by a bass and percussions (of course), a rhythmical guitar (!), and a voice (!!!). Let's swing and dance. Along The Cam Nothing More...is the song really difficult to appreciate? For me, no. Bluesy flavour is always around us. I, without my intention, have a clap and croon, with my appreciation for it. On Acid Moon not bright but clear voices and a guitar solo are the keys but tight and strict rhythm should make this song rigid and progressivo. Very shaped (not complex) and simply aggressive. The last horn and synth sounds can make this song more mysterious I suggest. ...Uh? African beat E-minor...? On Dreamcatcher also voices are so interesting and amazing for us that they can let us go to another Oriental world...with a few rock & roll kicks. Wind chimes are very comfortable at Last Night On Vega. The vocal is bluesy as usual and a bit out of tune :-P but this combination should make us flexible and relaxed. Not kidding. The last track Lost In The Universe is, as its name, a slow and dark ballad, absolutely suitable for the last of this album. I'm sure the guitar be very impressive but the most beautiful stuff is the sound of wind chimes...also important.

Indeed, as I've mentioned above, there are lots of good songs...but it's a pity for me in the WHOLE ALBUM are not so many 'colours' enough to motivate us. Hope their next album will be greater...2 stars.