SMPT:E

Now this is more like it ;-) At first I was skeptical of this band, since they are all members of rather inconsistent (in prog terms) bands, but together them seem to have a chemistry not found in Flower Kings, Marillion, Spock's Beard or Dream Theater taken separately. There is a certain creative spirit that the four of these guys release when writing together. Maybe it is just that each of them is trying to bring out the best elements of their playing and writing for this project - after all these are musicians at the top of their profession, and there is no room for sloppy work. The result is a tight, clean and focused music. The music that they have created is contemporary, yet timeless, melodic and yet technically complex, structured and yet there is plenty of room for collective improvisation. The songs are long, yet focused and tight without the annoying and self-indulgent jamming that makes the Flower Kings so frustrating to listen to at times. Just quality music, that makes you want to listen to it again and again. Overall style is symphonic progressive (with all the trappings - mini moog, Hammond B3, Mellotron, breakneck passages, pastoral interludes, gorgeous vocal harmonies) with with some art-rock influences. Besides the grand epics and a heart-felt ballad, included is a timeless, super-catchy-radio-friendly song with Genesis references, "Mystery Train", which in different (better) times would be all over rock radio. To sum up, the album is a thouroughly satisfying one and highly recommendded for people who like Yes, Genesis, Procol Harum, The Beatles, The Flower Kings, Canterbury Prog and Art Rock in general - in short, prog-head's wet dream.