TARDIGRADE

When I noticed some months ago the great band Simon Says had released a new album I was sure I had to get hold of it. Well, I say the great band but actually that was based on one single track and that was the brilliant performance on the Odyssey project (3 cd release, see concept albums). That was nevertheless enough to know that I had to check them out some more and when there is a release in the running year I guess it was about high time for that.

Already at first listen I knew I was not going to be disappointed by the purchase. I say going to be because an album like this needs several listens (even for an experienced progger) to give the final review. I'm quite some listens further now and fortunately I can say it's still growing on me. The album starts off with a blistering track called Suddenly the rain, a real rocking tune, well tune, it's almost a true epic. It's followed by the short title track, another cracker, short but firm one might say. Next up is the 3rd one in a row in more or less the same style and just as you think there is not much variety the 4th track is a nice acoustic instrumental called Moon Mountain also very much ok to me. As the river runs is the 3rd longest on the album and is building up from slow and quiet to more up tempo after about 4 minutes and a little while later interesting keyboards taking the turn, then another slow down with vocals before we get to the second half of the track which appears to be pretty accessible although still absolutely progressive. A very good track this, along with the other two epics the best of the album to me. No 6 is a short interlude which is forgettable, ok maybe a breathing moment before it's firing at all cylinders with the next instrumental Strawberry Jam, another very energetic tune. Circles end is a vocal/acoustic song with nice flute and guitar with in the second half of the song also added keyboards. This track reminds me of King and the castle by Pendragon. Finally it's time for the longest of the album Brother where you bound. As I say so often with other epics (tracks of this length hardly ever disappoint me, is that coincidence ?) this is what you may expect from a song of this length. Because it's an epic with lots of variation and twists and turns, instrumental passages, a great compositional effort. Another short one (like the 6th) closes the album leaving me behind with a very satisfied feeling.

It's the first album for me by Simon Says, a band that used to be in the neo progressive category, maybe that was correct at one point but the switch the site made towards symphonic is fully justified because that is where the band belongs right now (and also with their Odyssey contribution). If I leave the two short tracks out of the marking I come to a final conclusion of some 4,15 so 4 stars, well deserved.

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