THE JOURNEY

Life Line Project deliver beautiful and warm sounding symphonic rock, full of beautiful themes and beautiful arrangements. "The Journey" is a double disc, of which the first one is entirely filled with "Journey To The Heart Of Your Mind", a work of about 60 minutes, describing the search of man looking for his true self. This work contains so many emotional highlights, starting immediately with the main theme, which returns in all sort of shapes throughout the complete story. "Longing For My Childhood" could be a true symphonic rock single with a beautiful theme played by the oboe, a dramatic guitar solo in the middle and so beautifully sung by lead singer Marion Brinkman-Stroetinga. Another great symphonic rock song is the "Credo" in which again Marion proves to be a great singer. To complete the story line there is a large number of other vocalists, but Marion is simply the best.

The band's possibilities can best be checked in pieces like "Bright Spots", "Free"and the "Finale" in which some fantastic instrumental outbursts can be enjoyed, with a major role for keyboard-player Erik de Beer, who gives us a fine display of his Hammond and his Moogs. The guitar leads are all way above the average and all show fantastic melodies.

What I liked in particular are the beautiful interludes played on instruments like the flute, the oboe, the clarinet and the bassoon. Especially the bassoon parts reminded me a bit of Gryphon, one of my favourite bands.

The second disc is filled with shorter compositions, of which some are played by the piano and one of the woodwind instruments only. The title piece of the second disc, called "The Narrow Path" is probably the most symphonic piece I ever heard. Lots of mysterious mellotron parts, lots of tempo changes and again these excellent vocals by Marion.

Both discs of this double album are fantastic, and I can advise everyone to check them out!

Izabelle.