THE MAN WHO NEVER WAS

If my memory serves me well, I got to know this album through some internet station. After listening to it several times, I finally put my finger on what works for me and what not. But first things first, This Winter Machine is a neo- prog band founded by Al Winter in 2016. On this album, at least, the band is primarily keyboard-driven. The album consists of five songs only, since two of them are epics and another one nearly so. The longest one, which is the title track, kicks off the album and it is a highlight with its beautiful melodies, mainly on the piano. But from the first song it becomes apparent, to me at least, that there is an issue with Al Winter's voice: when he holds a high note it sounds as if his voice is trembling. But thankfully most of the times he sings at a lower register, so this issue doesn't come on too often. The Wheel starts very promising but on the 2:40 minute there is a theme change on 5/4 time which, bar a few meters, remains the same until the end of the song which is 6 minutes long and it wears me out well before it is over. Then comes an instrumental track which although is five minutes long it comes off as half-baked, but then again maybe this is why it is named Lullaby (Interrupted). On After Tomorrow Comes the issue I mentioned becomes more evident than ever. It would be a really nice song since the melodies are captivating but for me it's just too much, he sounds as if he is really struggling to hit the notes. But the best was saved for the last: Fractured is the album's top song and its ten minutes go by in a flash. Everything is in place here where the band plays on its strengths. Last, I will mention that I haven't paid detailed attention to the lyrics, but they belong to the aforementioned strengths of the band.

In spite of some things that don't work quite well for me, I am positive that every fan of neo-prog should give this band a chance and hear and judge for themselves if it is right up their alley.