ESOTERIC EUPHONY

HAN UIL is a singer guitarist who has played in various bands, ranging from EGDON HEATH, SEVEN DAY HUNT, ANTARES and TUMBLE TOWN. The influences are varied, starting from DYLAN, DIRE STRAITS, J. BECK for the guitar, MARILLION, PINK FLOYD (from Syd BARETT to David GILMOUR), ILLUMION, N. CAVE. At times the paw of Peter GABRIEL and the voice of David BOWIE can be heard! Note that these titles were composed during the last recording of TUMBLE TOWN and form his 3rd personal album. Suffice to say that this album has everything to surprise and should not be considered just as yet another side-project.

"Devil's night" and its solo à la GILMOUR, with a bit of ROTHERY behind, an ethereal female voice, operetta then almost shouted, reminiscences on GENESIS period "And then there were three", "We are united" with a latent intro and its typical voice leading to a development in which I hear a few notes of MINIMUM VITAL or ANGE, but the main thing goes on a tune that is both calm and complex as soon as the music takes precedence over the lyrics; note the voice of Theresa May relating the drama of the Manchester Arena. "The next door bully" focused on a title more fits in even the voice becoming more aggressive until the arrival of a Knopflerian and Beckian guitar. "Runaway" sets off on a calm, ordered blues rhythm with an unstoppable chorus, then a crescendo with backing vocals gives free rein to Han's fluid guitar; minimal break very gently before an explosive solo, the most beautiful "spleen and enchanting" of the album in my opinion. "Love and me" and its typical intro, don't look for MARK KNOPFLER is there: from beginning to end with even STEVE ROTHERY as a guest; the great part given to the guitar and a monolithic, almost phrasal voice, always bewitching, it's simple, of course, but it's beautiful! The last solo tears the ambient air even more and finishes its undermining work.

"The storyteller" with an oriental atmosphere at the start to give free rein to a haunting title where the drums are more present; a progressive development comes to light halfway through with a synth marking its presence, then the guitar again; new feeling between icy beauty and mono-thymic rhythm that makes you move your head without realizing it, complex title! "Give me fire" leaves on the same feeling, it's soft, from the accordion to the detour, the voice in the Nick CAVE well supported then a controlled explosion in the synth suddenly panicking and return smoothly, unstoppable: we are more alert to any musical prog development! "Failure" starts on JETHRO TULL as a prelude, the title is nervous, the neo-prog is very close, all in a short title, we are dealing with rhythmic breaks which do not leave anyone indifferent and which reinforce to lend the ear more considerately; the guitar and the synth fight for honor. "Chasing intentions" guitar by Han HUIL who must have heard a lot of Chis REA and Mark KNOPFLER, the notes are pure, crystalline and they flow from an endless musical cascade as I realize that it's is the shortest title! A purely orchestral interlude of great beauty. "A great experience" closes the album with the longest title on a blues atmosphere at the beginning until an explosive synth finale, the guitar coming from here and there distilling some alluring notes.

A strange, seductive album where one could get bored if one is looking for long neo-prog compositions; an interesting album in the pure crossover prog vein because mixing symphonic parts, opera, 80's and 90's prog, an album where each title in fact conceals its own development with twists and surprises à la carte, a rock album in fact who has the ability to pull out progressive developments at every corner; a trap album where replays give the feeling of being in an endless musical loop. A relaxing and exciting record, prog becomes an oxymoron and is definitely not dead. An album as it is good to be surprised.