AUTOMATIC DAY

Little Atlas - Automatic Day Rating: 9,5/10 A further effort and improvement from the already excellent previous release "Hollow", this band's really progressing! Anyway it took 6 years from Hollow, the time span was worth the wait. Only 2 reviews for this?? Let me help! This one is an absolute go-get-it! What can you find in "Automatic Day"? No really groundbreaking new music style; no highly technical passages and virtuosity in playing; no self-showing of musicians. But, indeed, you will be presented the fine work of excellent craftsmen in musical writing and construction, that produces a highly, highly enjoyable prog rock record. 10 pieces extremely varied (the first 7 are all on the range of 7-10 minutes in length, and most engaging, while the last 3 are shorter and "lighter" in feel...), from melodic to darker moments (sometimes, it reminds Steven Wilson latest work...), never in excess. Lyrics are always interesting, where the inner conscious of man is the main subject. "Oort" immediately set the environment...in space, where darkness really is. But also the light of Little Atlas' music. "Apathy" starts with the beautiful (almost a signature) delicate arpeggios and a mesmerizing melody, in my opinion where the bands really outshines. Then change starts with a tighter and slightly harder part: the song continues to evolve, with a magic finale, it sticks to your mind. "Twin of Ares" is the weirdest , or weakest one, with a central to final part that is not probably very well developed in the melody, and is difficult to retain. "Emily True" begins with a haunting sinthesizer, and stay on the gloomy mood, when hard guitars come in and excellent drumming, staying on the same bars for a few lines, than at min.3:09 hard rock riff and mellotron breaks in with a menacing tune. Even this song continue to move and doesn't stay "quiet". Another very good. "At the end of the day" sees the return of the delicate starts, with immediately catchy tune...theat is building up when gentle drumming come in. Steve Katsikas sings very passionately, with melody and sense. Another gem of the album, building greatly all the way to the end in volume and band full display. "Illusion of control" is the longest piece, and back in the dark side, with pulsating rythm at the start...and a great alternation of harsh and bright rock passages...seems to vanish at 6:12, but than gentle guitar picking is back again, and keyboards reprise with gentle uplifting melody: a fantastic music ride until the end., that seems just an illusion to control. Then, what? Then, it's "Darvocet Eyes": I dare say, this is the best of the bunch. So passionate from note 2, with electric piano, a delicate ballad that blooms on an orchid, that's almost tearjerking, when bass and piano plays together at minute 3:00...then starts more complex with guitar and drums. Super, really, with the last 2 minutes returning on the initial theme, and bursting in music and singing for the great finale, with horns-like small section that reminds of "Atom heart mother" After these 7 "long" and immersive songs...by mild contrast "We all remember truth" is a lighter, shorter, more simple but great tune...and is so exhilaratingly catchy that is quite a surprise. "Autimat Day" returns back in the territory of heavy and gloom...in Little Atlas terms, before "Escape velocity" closes the work with a lighter exit tune and good electric piano playing...great way to conclude such an immersive and enchanting listening. All in all: 1/2 point less for missing originality (whatever it is...), but for all the rest, Little Atlas worked with great dedication and passion, and can be proud of the result:I'm returning to this Automatic Day almost every day, almost automatically.

Thank you, Little Atlas: One of my Top-3 albums of 2013 (Steven Wilson and Ayreon, as fellows)