IN PROGRESS

Dutch Neo Prog band from Vlaardingen, found by a group of friends in late-80's.Their early activity included plenty of live shows as well as two demo tapes, ''Happiness'' and ''Stop rewind, play forward''.Their first album though was launched over a decade after their formation, entitled ''In progress'' and released privately in 1999.The line-up at the time consisted of two keyboardists, Philip van der Mark an Marc Brobbel, along with singer Ernst Brobbel, drummer Jan Willem Meijer, guitarist Harry Steen and bassist Marcel van den Berg.

Born in the 80's, Picklelegaz were reasonably influenced by a number of British Prog bands like MARILLION, IQ and GENESIS and their sound lacks hints of a strong personality but simultaneously it is filled with lots of inspired passages and instant melodies.They combine short and pleasant tracks with more straightforward melodies in the vein of ABEL GANZ with tight and longer arrangements full of theatrical singing lines and deep atmospheres.The singer has an obvious FISH/PETER GABRIEL-like tone, encouraging this particular style of music, while the group of musicians comes up with some very good performances.Especially the longer tracks are excellent with dramatic, epic, MARILLION-esque atmospheres, based on dreamy keyboard parts and elaboborate guitar solos, while the instrumental themes have a discreet symphonic tendency.The sound ranges from smooth and catchy parts to more demanding and rich arrangements with full-blown synths and strong guitar moves and the most obvious flaw comes from the production, which is rather average.

Unique sound?No.Groundbreaking music?Still no.Memorable melodies, dramatic textures and solid musicianship?''In Progress'' is filled with this kind stuff.Anyone into the material of CITIZEN CAIN, THE WATCH or even better RED SAND should search for this great band.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.