VOICES BEYOND MY CURTAIN

This is one of those releases that leaves me sitting on the fence. I really like the dark and atmospheric soundscapes they create, but it's really the female vocals that are hit and miss with me. Eric mentioned in his review it was her vocals that kept him from giving it 4 stars, and I have to agree with him. There are times I like them, but there are also times that they really take away from my enjoyment of this recording.

The first track "The Knell" is my favourite. This is almost 15 minutes long and her vocals throughout are really kept in check. Haha. Acoustic guitar melodies lead the way for almost 2 minutes when it suddenly turns dark. Vocals before 3 minutes as the sound builds slowly. The sound becomes full after 4 1/2 minutes. An eerie calm 7 1/2 minutes in that continues for 2 minutes when acoustic guitar comes in just like at the beginning of the song. Synths are in the background as vocals come in gently a minute later. The sound becomes full again around 12 1/2 minutes as we get a taste of how harsh her vocals can be. Some nice electric guitar, and then it ends as it began with acoustic guitar. "Craven Smiles" opens with synths and vocals. Not a fan of the intro but when it gets going 1 1/2 minutes in I like it a lot. The guitar soars tastefully until a calm arrives with piano before 3 minutes.Vocals come in softly. It stays mellow until 6 minutes in when vocals and sound both get passionate briefly. Not a fan of this one overall, but loved the guitar solo.

"Prisoner Of Cutting Light" opens with synths and vocals. A fuller, uptempo sound 3 minutes in with some minor riffing to follow. I like the guitar solo 5 1/2 minutes in. A calm a minute later before it builds with theatrical vocals then minor riffs. The guitar goes on and on from before 9 1/2 minutes, and then vocals return. More tasteful guitar late. "Choices" opens with spoken words before vocals come in. They do get passionate as this contrast continues. "Flying To Fade" again opens with spoken words. I like this song from when she stops singing after 2 minutes until we get an annoying vocal section after 5 minutes. The guitar 8 minutes in is fantastic though to end it. "Pale Light Of The Morning" features some guest flute 2 1/2 minutes in. Before that we get reserved vocals. Guitar 5 1/2 minutes in is joined by piano before vocals return. The tempo picks up a lot after 9 minutes with some excellent guitar.

I do have a fondness toward bands like TALE CUE who released progressive music in the early nineties, but there's not enough here for me to give it 4 stars.