THE BURDEN OF PARADISE

In short: this is going to end up very high on my list of favourite albums of the year, and it won't surprise me if it takes the top spot.

Beautiful, intricately constructed, melodic progressive rock with gorgeous harmonies, interesting lyrics, lovely interplay between parts and the occasional virtuoso stand-out moment. Lovely, unusual chord changes, great use of suspense in pedal note bass, some delicious guitar trem arm flutter moments and all sorts of other technical observations, but above all this is just musical and engaging. It took me a couple of listens to really take to it but now it grows on me with every listen.

Stand out tracks: Love and War is sublime. Special mention for "At First Light" too. There are moments which are a little like modern (songful) Rush, some more Neo-prog moments that could be Marillion if you squint a bit. Loads of big majestic, symphonic moments, and a brave but wonderful end to the album.

This is really, really fine stuff. Not wall to wall virtuoso stuff, but some of the most musically engaging prog I've heard in a long time. Top marks with no reservations.