VISION

Martigan delivers a very convincing and strong neo prog album. In this busy corner of progressive music competition is tough. This may be the reason why this album did not received the attention it deserves. This album will definitely be part of my ten most favourite albums of 2009. Most striking is the diversity of songs. The music always grabs your attention, there is no moment where your thoughts part. The guitar is sometimes brilliant, with very, very beautiful solo's like in Craze This Town. The album starts of with Boatmans Vision. It is not the best start this album deserves. The first impression is a bit outdated, with radio-like sounds, "thirteen in a dozen" keyboard sounds and a Dream Theater like guitar. But slowly, Martigan finds its way into a very nice song although 23 minutes is a bit long. But then the album only features real gems culminating in the last two songs, without doubt the best of the CD: Red & Green and The Contract. Where they showed in Craze This Town to be able to write attractive melodies, in these songs we are brought in parts of neoprog seldom visited. A great adventure! I have doubted between 4 or 5 stars, the weaker opening track however keeps this album away from a masterpiece. Anyway: a treat for the ear and a genuine no risk disk!