SOMATERIA SPECTABILIS

What got me interested in this album was the fact that the guitarist from NICE BEAVER was involved. I must say there is nothing on this record that recalls NICE BEAVER, this is completely different. A lot of instrumental work on this one, at times reminding me of CAMEL. And this is apparently a concept album.

"Hatching" is atmospheric with the sounds of synths. It builds late. "Somateria Spectabilis" has a good full sound to it with guitar. It settles into a pleasant mood 1 1/2 minutes in. It's fuller before 3 minutes as contrasts continue. Some heaviness 5 minutes in with organ followed by a calm with piano. A CAMEL vibe 6 minutes in but instead of being about a goose it's about a duck. Go figure. The guitar starts to soar. "King Of Ducks" has vocals and a pulsating rhythm. Synths before 3 minutes when the vocals temporarily stop. It settles right down with atmosphere to end it.

"In Detain" kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes then settles when vocals come in. It kicks back in thankfully. The guitar solo really sounds like Roine Stolt after 3 1/2 minutes. It settles as contrasts continue. Now it sounds like Latimer on the guitar after 6 1/2 minutes. Atmosphere and synths end it. "The News" opens with gentle guitar. Vocals a minute in as guitar is strummed. The tempo changes a few times on this one. "Arctic Skies" opens with synths washing in as a light beat and acoustic guitar join in. Piano late. "Atlantis '69" again features acoustic guitar. The tempo picks up quickly with vocals. Nice bass. Not a fan of parts of this one. I do like how dreamy it gets around 7 minutes. "Exxon Valdez" is dominated by guitar and piano 1 1/2 minutes in. Violin replaces the guitar to end it.

So a good album but one that fails to impress me a whole lot.

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