ENDGAME

To my surprise this is the first review from Dutch musical project Like Wendy their latest (6th) album entitled "Endgame". The seven compositions sound a bit more accesible than the previous CD's, due to the melodic structure and vocal hints from The Beatles and Barclay James Harvest.

1. Mock Me! (10:54) : An alternating and very pleasant progrock sound, from melow with twanging acoustic guitar and piano to bombastic with fiery, often howling electric guitar and wonderful Mellotron. Their sound reminds me of mid- Genesis.

2. Radioactive Girl (6:40) : First tender piano and melancholical vocals, soon accompanied by sensitive electric guitar and majestic choir-mellotron. Then a synthesizer solo and a mellow featuring twanging acoustic guitar and Mellotron. The final part contains a sumptuous grand finale, splendid!

3. Subs (5:29) : Another altenating piece, from dreamy to bombastic with beautiful work on the guitar and Mellotron and emotional vocals.

4. Seventeen (8:15) : This track alternates from mellow and a slow rhythm to bombastic delivering fiery electric guitar and again a wonderful Mellotron sound (violin and choir).

5. Money For Monkey's (6:17) : A very compelling song featuring beautiful keyboards (synthesizers, church organ sound and Mellotron) and sensitive electric guitar with use of the volume-pedal (like Steve Hackett).

6. Moria (8:33) : Another Mellotron drenched piece!

7. Endgame (9:38) : The final composition is very alternating, the second part contains lots of bombastic eruptions featuring majestic choir-Mellotron and great interplay between guitar and keyboards. The final minutes delivers a surprise: mouth organ!

IF YOU LIKE MID-GENESIS, IQ, PENDRAGON AND BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, THIS ONE IS YOURS!