PURE

2,5 stars really A typical neo-prog release which is clearly influenced by the early Marillion, IQ and the heyday of Saga. Most songs are quite simple, yet not less effective. I remembered being impressed by the excellent song writing when hearing the music for the very first time. There's some top notch melodies in "Stay", "Call for life", "Jericha" & "Cat's worst grave". Unfortunately there's also some flaws like the instrumental "Winterpause" which can only be called boring or "The ultimate song" which is more pop than prog. I can imagine that some prog lovers will find the instrumental side of the band too predictable but just remember that this was only their debut album. The next album of this German band would contain more adventurous compositions. "Jericha" & "Cat's worst grave" have some IQ influences and may be the best compositions of the bunch thanks to a series of magnificent moods and atmospheres. "Dictator" is a satisfying popish track that holds influences from both Genesis' supper's ready and Saga.

Overall the atmospheric keyboards are sounding great, if not, a little outdated. The guitars are quite enjoyable and reminiscent to both Steve Hackett & Steve Rothery. The closing solo on "Call for life" is simply breathtaking. Fortunately Singer Martin Eden has a characteristic, dramatic voice that you won't forget. Sometimes he reminds me a bit of Fish or Peter Nicholls but in essence the sound of his voice is highly original in progressive music. "Pure" has a clean, crisp sound that suffers from eighties production techniques which is especially noticeable by the rhythm section which would have been more suitable for an AOR band.

Conclusion : An album that definitely has some highly enjoyable moments but overall this is more like a collection of very different songs than a real album. Sometimes the arrangements are too less elaborated and the songs are too simple and popish but when listening to the excellent closing track, you'll forgive them all..

Not that "pure"

CHANDELIER hails from Germany.They play IQ-like Neo and this album is said to bt their highlight. Well, then I wonder what's their doomiest hour?..There are two nice and enjoyable tracks - the opener "Stellar Attraction" and "Jericha", both 7-min long mini- epics. Other songs are cheesy ballads ("Pure", "Stay") or AOR-like hard-rock stuff (from horrible "Dictator" to bearable "Winterpause"). Not recommended as a whole, but if you happen to like Neo-pop-Prog (like ARAGON or ABEL GANZ), you may give CHANDELIER a try - but they're certainly not the best representative from the genre.

When I bought this album 15 years ago I was a great fan of Pendragon and since this was also neo-prog I hoped this was a lot like it. But comparing them to Pendragon, you're in for a big disappointment. The vocals are far less, the compositions are shorter and by far not as impressive and also the other musicians are not in the same league as the Pendragonmembers. Maybe the comparison is not quite fair because Pendragon is one of the best neo progbands around but on the other hand: it can be one's standard and if this band is far less, you know if it's good enough for you.

It's not to me anyway, so I can only give it 2 stars.

It is not often that the lead singer of a German band sounds convincing. So, let's pay tribute to this, although Martin Eden sounds probably too close to Peter Nicholls to be somewhat original.

And the music that goes along is not the most trendy one you could imagine. Average neo-prog, with everything that this concept can hold. Regressive, cloned, borrowed stuff and so on.

Not easy to find a highlight here but this album doesn't sound too bad either. Even if little memorable. Some fine melodies ("Stay"), but most of the songs do have an air of déjà vu, and I wonder if an "IQ" clone was really necessary.

The most related "IQ" song and one of the best from "Pure" might well be "Jericha". Mostly thanks to the passion that Martin is putting in his vocal parts. But again, this can hardly be called a masterpiece even if it is my fave from their debut album. Rhythm changes, good guitar break and fine keys are additional ingredients which make this song the highlight here.

Another good piece is "Cat's Worst Grave". A bit pathetic (probably due to the extremely Nicholls oriented vocals, again) but harmonious and catchy. Unfortunately, it is immediately followed by the extremely poor "Dictator". Some sort of sub-par Genesis from the eighties (just imagine!). Neo-prog in all its "splendor". Press next of course.

The last couple of songs are good; especially the closing "Call For Life" which features a melancholic vocal part (but this is no surprise) as well as an excellent guitar solo.

A good album, but only for neo-prog fans. Others might get irritated while listening to this type of music.

Good German melodic progressive rock band,which enjoyed some fame during the 90's.Formed in the 80's CHANDELIER released a cassette in 1988 called ''Fragments'',followed by another one under the name ''Call for life'' on May of the next year,when keyboardist Tobias Budnowski enters the scene in the place of Stefan Listier.With the new line-up CHANDELIER recorded and released their debut ''Pure'' in 1990 on Sisyphus Records (re-released in 1997 by Inside-out with three extra tracks).

''Pure'' presents the very familiar sound of accesible neo progressive rock with melodic keyboards around,strong lyrical content and generally an emotional atmosphere.Comparisons and echoes of the album brings bands like JADIS,TWELFTH NIGHT and even IQ in mind.This is a release with much a song-based orientation with Martin Eden sounding like a German imitator of Peter Nicholls of IQ or even FISH,of course with a slight accent.The keyboard work in here is carefully balanced,far from any trace of virtuosity,while guitars are also very distinctive,creating fine melodies and presenting some rocking grooves from time to time.

Even for a neo prog album,''Pure'' is quite calm and relaxing,but definitely it is a very well-crafted effort with every note being worked very well.Recommended, especially to fans of easy-listening prog rock based more on atmosphere than complexity.

CHANDELIER are a German Neo-Prog band and "Pure" is their debut from 1990. I've already reviewed the follow-up "Facing Gravity" and to be honest it would be hard to pick one over the other. Barely 3 stars for both.

"Steller Attraction" opens with faint sounds then it kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes and vocals follow. Catchy stuff and the bass is prominant too. "After The Day" is uptempo but the vocals are fairly laid back. I like this one the most because the vocals aren't as annoying as they sometimes are. "Stay" really reminds me of a band that I can't put my finger on during the chorus. It opens with a music box then a smash as the gentle music comes in. It does kick in fuller after a minute on the chorus before settling back. "Jericha" has reserved vocals after a minute.The guitar soars after 2 1/2 minutes then the drums pound. It then lightens before picking back up.

"Pure" opens with what sounds like harpsichord as reserved vocals join in. Not a fan at all. "Winterpause" is an instrumental. I like the guitar to start and also the bass that eventually follows. "Cat's Worst Grave" opens with acoustic guitar as fragile vocals join in. It's fuller around 3 minutes.The guitar leads 5 1/2 minutes in. "Dictator" is uptempo with synths.Vocals too and it's quite catchy. "The Ultimate Song" is similar to the previous track really. Uptempo with synths,drums and vocals standing out. "Call For Life" is mellow with almost spoken words. It's really ballad-like. A guitar solo late when the vocals stop. My edition has some live bonus tracks simply added at the end of this tune after a short period of silence, turning this five minute track into an over 29 minute song including a GENSIS cover.

Tough to recommend this one. I've got so many other Neo-Prog albums that blow this one away.