CHASING THE DRAGONFLY

I would like to recommend this album, but it's difficult for me. Actually, the music is superb. All the members of the band are skilled on their instruments, the musical ideas are brilliant, the sound is clear, but ... that voice ...

It's a pity. Someone ought to tell Jesus Filardi that he is a very good musician, a good composer and a good bandleader, but as well that his voice is simply hideous. But no, he keeps on being determined to sing, and I disagree with the reviewers who suggest that Filardi's voice is Jon Anderson-esque (¡for God's sake, poor Jon!). It's not "compressed", but it's absolutely "tiring". It's, actually, unpleasant, and when you are listening "Chasing the Dragonfly" and you are enjoying the music, suddenly that annoying voice appears and the house of cards collapses ...

On the other hand, and if you are able to overlook that voice, CTD is a good album, well balanced in themes and rhythms. 'The Gray Stones of Escalia", "Passport to Tora" and "Senshi" are fantastic, and, for me, there are more resemblance with Marillion or IQ than with Yes or Genesis (so the "neo prog" moniker it's OK) . "Alveo (Bolero)" would be great if the band leave out the vocals. How can you "sing" in a bolero? (can you imagine Ravel's Bolero with an operistic voice or Greg Lake singing in Trilogy "Abbadon's Bolero"?).

To cut a long story short : if the album were instrumental, I would give four stars. But, sadly, it isn't : two stars.