CHILDREN

"Children," the second CD by the American band Iluvatar, is packaged in a stunningly beautiful cover, one of the most gorgeous of all time, in my opinion. Personally, I'm a huge fan of this kind of magical realist artwork. The strong imaginative power of the image often lends a similar atmosphere to the music itself. The cover of "Children" is, to say the least, quite spiritual.

Iluvatar is no longer an unknown name. For those who aren't familiar with the band, these Americans create enjoyable neo-prog that comes across as a variant of early Marillion and bears a strong resemblance to contemporaries like Galahad, IQ, and Pendragon. The work of Rush from the '80s also seems to have provided much inspiration.

The Jon Anderson-like vocals of singer Glenn McLaughlin and the exhilarating guitar work of Dennis Mullin are the most appealing aspects of the band's sound. On "Children," both men shine. There are excellent guitar solos in Given Away and Late of Conscience, and in the ballad Eye Next to Glass, McLaughlin sings with extraordinary passion. His voice is unique, sounding both biting and tender throughout the album.

In addition to several modern synthesizers, keyboardist Jim Rezek makes extensive use of vintage instruments like the Hammond organ and the Mellotron. His playing is predominantly supportive, but in several tracks, he stands out with lively solos. This is evident in Late of Conscience, Your Darkest Hour, and especially in the magnificent closing track, The Final Stroke. In my opinion, Iluvatar surpasses themselves in this epic finale, what a class song, nothing is lacking for fifteen minutes straight. The piano gallops through it all like a binding agent, creating delightful moments. Another fine passage occurs when the bass guitar is joined by the electric guitar and then by the organ. When the drums set in with a monumental rhythm, it brings a sense of satisfaction. I've been blown away by this song for years.

Thumbs up also go to the production, streamlined, polished, and above all, very solid at its core. This requires a great bassist. Newcomer Dean Morekas, with his taste and skill, is a valuable addition to Iluvatar (a kind of Geddy Lee).

All in all, "Children" is a fine CD. Iluvatar may not win a medal for originality, but the effort and energy with which they shape their songs command at least some respect. The beautiful cover is not just for show; it houses an album that is equally as beautiful.

Originally posted on www.progenrock.com