MORE GRAINS OF SAND

Switzerland is known for it's watches, so it's only logic that a Schwiss band chooses a time-measuring devise as it's name. More Grains Of Sand is Clepsydra's second full- length album. A gentle nice neo-progressive experience, in sound somewhat reminiscent to Marillion, Eloy and Pendragon, especially the keyboard play and the bass lines seem inspired by those bands.

This is the last album that features Gabriele 'Lele' Hofmann on guitar, after this he will depart and start a new band (Shakary) and be replaced with Marco Cerruli, but for this album he still makes an invaluable contribution, his guitar sound reminds me of anthony Phillips ,and some Steve Hillage, very good and highly melodic.

The major element that defines Clepsydra's music are the keyboardsounds as produced by Philip Hubert, with Clive Nolan/Mark Kelly/Tony Banks similarities, very atmospheric undertones, with great soloing, and his tunes really carry the music.

As for the vocals, Aluisio Maggini has a good voice, but on this album I find him a bit less inspired compared to the previous and later albums, but still nice. drums and bass are good too, but don't have as much impact as they could have. These are some minor points on the album, but the songwriting in itself, and the skillfull excecution warants a four star rating, let's just call it a missed opportunity, with little consequence for the listening experience.

Some songs I enjoy from this album: Fly Man: A pop rock song, with strong hooks, fine singing and beautiful keyboard runs Moonshine On Heights: A great melodic guitar solo, great keyboard soloing and a good mix of slow and fast parts. Grain Dance: A guitar solo beginning, sounding like a cross between Steve Hillage, and Mike Oldfield, nice. These are just some songs i mention from the top of my head, but all songs on the album have some spectaculair and beautifull moments.

Clepsydra's "More Grains Of Sand" really is a fine album, and I think fans of Pendragon, Eloy, and soft melodic music will find some very good songs on this album. Not a masterpiece, but a good enough experience to try at least once.