MINDFLOWERS

Here is what came away with: on this album, the Mindflowers' players handle their musical instruments with high level of competence, but I couldn't sense enough synergy among them. Neither could I hear them groove or have fun improvising, which is kind of disappointing for an album, stylized as IMPROgressive.

Perhaps, I need to listen to the album a few more times to see if I can "tune into" it, but as of now the Improgressive as a whole has not been able to engage me emotionally. Which usually means 2 stars in my ranking rules.

And it would be 2 stars if not for the 8-minute Red Spider, which is a peculiar, but a completely palatable blend of heavy fusion with progressive metal, if there is such a thing :)

Let's make it 3 stars for Mindflowers

It is very fluid and melodic, and they go from out and out prog (as in "Red Spider") or even bring in some folk influences (as on "Flo's Kisses") where they utilise a guest violinist. Although the two lead instruments of keyboards and guitar have struck up a dynamic interplay which carries most of the melody, there is a great deal going on in the rhythm section. With a Chapman stick being used on two of the songs, and Balás determined to show that he can produce similar results on a normal bass guitar (well, a handmade seven string version), it gives the music a very dynamic edge that is dense yet extremely light. There are lots of gaps and space within the music at times, yet at others it is just filled with notes and melodies.

Easily one of the finest instrumental albums I have heard I recent years this is a joy throughout (although the insertion of a mobile phone text message notice going off at the end of one number did have me looking for my phone).

Originally appeared in Feedback #72, Feb 03

The other track that is killing me as well is the fifth one "Why Not?" (5:07) that has a captivating piano work at the intro part followed with jazz-rock music demonstrating excellent Chapman stick and guitar solo. There are parts that remind me to complex progressive metal arrangements like the music of Liquid Tension Experiment, Dream Theater, etc. The third song "Sick Spirit" (4:50) is actually good as well, especially if you enjoy guitar-driven instrumental music in jazz-rock style.

The epic "Talk With Myself" consumes a long duration of twenty-two minute, exploring many styles of music. It starts in an ambient way using guitar solo in relatively slow tempo followed with a slow music stream with guitar fills. The song is picking up slowy at the opening part, transferring the work of guitar to piano and returning back to guitar. The music starts to pick up in faster tempo at approximately minute 4:30 ? which is too long for me. It continues with guitar solo that reminds me to Joe Satriani or Steve Vai music combined nicely with keyboard work. The piano solo that works at approx minute 8 is very nice, combined with guitar riffs and tight basslines. The music starts impressing me when it's at about minute 15 when guitar plays a solo work backed with tight bassline. The music sounds dynamic right here. Overall, this epic is nicely composed but fails to attract me as it's not as dynamic as, for example, the epic that The Tangent created in "The Music That Died Alone".

This album is very good and it suits the taste of you who love jazz-rock fusion with some progressive metal elements. If you like Gordian Knot, Liquid Tension Experiments, Relocator, Planet X, etc this album is for you. Keep on proggin' ....!!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Music is very similar to Sean Malone, Gordian Knot or LTE sound, but more rounded, softer, more melodic. The problem is guys really know how to play, but the material is too secondary (or too faceless). So, even if you will like HOW they play, you will hardly remember (or like) WHAT they play. For sure, Chapman stick has its characteristic sound, so it is not easy to find own way using it. But using very similar technique to well-known stick players doesn't help for sure.

Happily, there are some more attractive moments in this music, as quite intelligent electric guitar sound or even violin. But musical material is not strong enough to support band's debut for success. All in all the album sounds as very talented imitators work.

"They're Coming!" is the one minute intro of experimental sounds before they kick into "Ego". Drums and bass to open then it kicks in before a minute. A nice heavy soundscape before 2 1/2 minutes then it settles again as contrasts continue. "Victoria" is mellow with bass and cymbals leading the way. Keyboards join in on this jazzy tune. "The Merovingian" opens with keyboards, bass and drums. Guitar joins in as it gets heavy. The heaviness comes and goes. Some crazy synths before 3 minutes. "Ego Jam" is a short tune with drums, bass and piano standing out. "Earplug" is led by keyboards early. It's heavy before 3 minutes and later as themes are repeated.

"Sordino-Bass Solo" is well... just that. "Chromantica" features some guitar that I really like the sound of. It settles right down 2 1/2 minutes in then builds. Nice bass after 5 1/2 minutes. "Igor The Dog" is my favourite and not just because we hear this dog growling, sniffing and carrying on. This one gets pretty jazzy but also heavy before 1 1/2 minutes. "Soundcreek" opens with the sounds of birds and water which are replaced by some laid back music. The birds and water sounds return late. "Britney's Pears" is a great title. It opens with bass before drums then keys take the spotlight. Piano and guitar do the same later. "The Last Christmas" features some baby sounds and music.

As I mentioned in the intro most people who have heard this band are very impressed, so my rating and thoughts should be taken with a grain of salt. 3 stars.

"Red Spider" opens with some nice guitar before it kicks into an uptempo soundscape. Synths and guitar trade solos for a while then some heaviness arrives.The tempo continues to shift the rest of the way. "Falling" is fairly light with piano before the drums and guitar come in.The contrast continues. "Sick Spirit" is the heaviest track on here. Riffs lead the way as synths play over top, then guitar takes the synths place before 1 1/2 minutes and the riffs stop. The riffs are back 3 1/2 minutes in but it lightens quickly. "Why ?" is a mellow track of piano,synths and gentle guitar. "Why Not ?" opens with piano but it turns heavy quickly.The contrast continues.

"Crying Skies" features tasteful guitar and something that's supposed to sound like rain. The sound does get fuller. I really like this one. "Knowing The Path" is more of what's gone on before really. Nice bass though, then some organ 3 1/2 minutes in. "Flo's Kisses" opens with percussion, bass then violin. Acoustic guitar a minute in.This is a mellow tune, I like it though. "Talk With Myself" is the 22 1/2 minute closer. It's laid back to start and check out the guitar 4 minutes in. The transition before 11 minutes seems awkward but this song continues to evolve and change. A jazzy flavour late.

Cool title to this album that I think will please a lot of people who like their instrumental music with some heaviness and lots of variety.

Highly recommended to those who like the work of the above-mentioned bands, as well as those who enjoy Al DiMeola, Lee Ritenour and Jon Scofield. This is fusion at its very best. Don't miss out!

These four rather young musicians will surely become world-class musicians. They are very technical skilled and I guess that they are listening a lot to DREAM THEATER with all their side projects as well as jazz-rock bands such as BRAND X, MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, RETURN TO FOREVER and WEATHER REPORT. If so, it explains the variation in their music.

Unfortunately Hungarian musicians seldom become recognized worldwide, but I hope that Mindflowers will find many listeners throughout the world. This album is a clear evidence that they have the potential to do so. I'm eagerly awaiting their future development, but until then I will listen to this album many times.