SANDROSE

3.5 stars.This band's only record is a mellotron laden beauty, with some really good guitar work from Jean-Pierre. My only problem with it is the female vocals of Rose Prodwojny. I can't believe I haven't read one negative thing about her vocals, unless describing them as "shrill" is negative as I read somewhere. I just couldn't get past them though as they are from being pleasing to the ears. Let's put it this way, without vocals this is easily a 4.5 to 5 star record.The band by the way came up with it's name by using the lead singers first name as part of the title SANDROSE.

The first song "Vision" is all about the vocals with some atmospheric guitars coming in 4 minutes in, and ending with some good organ play."Never Good At Sayin' Good-bye" opens with gentle guitar and soft vocals until it gets louder as mellotron floods in. This contrast continues throughout the song. "Underground Session (chorea)" is an amazing song and the best on this album. The intro sounds like the great ANEKDOTEN as the mellotron waves crash the soundscape. It changes quickly though to light drums, keys, and a male vocal melody, then some terrific guitar comes in. Killer stuff. This song really changes moods and tempos, as it goes from jazzy, to an organ solo, to flute, with it all ending as it began with mellotron.

"Old Dom Is Dead" features emotional vocals, great guitar and lots of mellotron. "To Take Him Away" has such a beautiful one minute intro ! The rest is ok, with some good guitar melodies and mellotron too. "Summer Is Yonder" features some good organ and difficult to listen to vocals. "Metakara" is a song unlike the rest of the songs. An uptempo instrumental of drums,keys and some incredible guitar.The last song is 32 seconds worth of odd noises.

There is so much I like instrumentally about this release and because it would seem i'm in the minority about my dislike of the vocals, I would suggest you check out this album.