MIRROR OF INSANITY

Red Sand's Mirror of Insanity is one good exemple of how your first impression can be wrong. When I first bought it I, for some reason, thought the album was awful. After maybe one or two listenings I just put it aside and completely forgot about this band for months. Suddenly I decided to pick up some of my older CDs and see which ones were worth to keep. Red Sand was one that I could not remember what the music was like. When I put it on the CD player I was completely surprised of how good they sounded! The more I hear them the more I liked Mirror Of Insanity.

Yes, at first they may sound too familiar. Fish era Marillion is surely their main inspiration, and yet, they menage to bring a great record. And since Marillion sound like anything but early Marillion, it's alright. After all, you don't have to be totally original to be good. Besides, this is their first offering and judging by it, it is an excellent work. Probably their sound will outgrow the actual frame. But don't make the mistake to take them for a Marillion clone. They have their personality although the style is very much the same (I had a similar impression when I heard Pendragon the first time and now I see they are quite different and I'm a big fan of both).

The record itself is a neo prog gem, since it may be a little short in time, but there are no fillers, the playing is superb, the production is surprisely good for a such obscure label and the singer knows how to deliver the message with emotion. And last, but not least, the songwriting and arrangements are top notch.

If you're into neo prog this is a must have. If you like prog music in general you should check this out.