THE INTELLIGIBLE SKY

When I recently was contacted by the Astronomusic project, I knew I was in for some rather interesting music. Both Zozimo Rech and Adrianne Simioni have a love for astronomy and progressive music, and this love definitely comes through in their music. These instrumental compositions are tight, thematically on point, and surprisingly technical at points. The focus is always on the spacey, glorious imagery of the heavens.

Adrianne's music is similar in some ways to that of Zozimo, but there are some interesting differences. First of all, Adrianne plays the violin. It has a very haunting, whimsical quality to it that fits the music so well, and is a joy to hear. Indeed, it almost feels folksy at times. Secondly, I feel that this album contains more of Zozimo's and Adrianne's guitar skills. Stunning guitar lines and blistering solos show up quite often. They have a very classic rock feel to them, too.

Another difference could be the rockier quality of some of the songs. Instead of constantly being ethereal and wandering, "The Intelligible Sky" features that plus some very structured compositions, such as the awesome 5-star track, "Gods in the Sky". The combination of killer, spacey guitars and keys with a rocky tempo is simply fantastic. This album certainly makes the most of the contrast between hard guitar sounds, beauteous violin, and alien synth. They mix so well, and sometimes they even give me shivers down my spine.

This album gives less of a feeling of wandering the universe and more of a feeling of watching the history of the skies. Yes, it seems it's more about the God that created the stars, the people that have observed the heavens, and the intelligent beings that may be watching us. Yes, the sky is knowable, and that is what this album presents. It does so with gusto, amazing synth passages, and with a respect and loveliness that is missing in much music. Adrianne loves the heavens, and it is obvious in her work.

Adrianne Simioni comes from the southern part of Brazil, learning to play the guitar and the violin as a teenager, getting involved in a few bands since the years of studying Physics at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.The turning point of her career comes in 1991, when she meets Zozimo Rech while playing in the Electronic/Classical act Orquestra Profana.Together they shared a common interest both for Prog Rock and Astronomy and decided to establish the Astronomusic project, where they combined their two loves in one.After spending sometime in the States, learning much about the local scene, she returns in Brazil in 1998, joining the Country Rock act The Travellers.Rech was also the man, who helped Simioni on the recordings of her sole personal release ''The intelligible sky'', released independently in 2006.Simioni plays guitars and violin on the album, while Rech plays keyboards and contributes some electric guitars as well.

The talent of Simioni as a composer, arranger and instrumentalist shines through this album, which comes as a cross between Neo Prog and soft Symphonic Rock with a bit of New Age thrown in for good measure.The music is mostly dreamy and very elaborate with refined, all instrumental arrangements, suffering only by a few fake instrumental textures in the orchestral parts, but offering some excellent music with beautiful melodies and symphonic arrangements in the process.Simioni's guitar style shows influences from the music of CAMEL, GANDALF and resemblances to Italian MYSIA, but her original touch comes in the fair amount of Neo-Classical vibes during the solo parts.No virtuosic shredding ala Yngwie Malmsteen, only smooth and melodic lines of sheer beauty.On the other hand the addition of the Classical-drenched violin themes draws comparisons with compatriots QUATERNA REQUIEM and SAGRADO CORACAO DA TERRA with Rech providing the discreet organ and synth background soundscapes.Several tracks feature a strong instrumental Neo Prog basis with more flashy, pronounced keyboard moves and a good collaboration with Simioni's emotional guitar content, while the drum programming is decent but not exceptional.Resemblances do not stop here.The keyboard-driven Classical interludes and the display of melodic, Neo-Classical guitar melodies remind me also of Italian acts such as SITHONIA or later-era METAMORFOSI.Dynamics are present in most pieces, which are kept midway between rich and emphatic instrumental variations and a more laid-back and sensitive architecture.

Very good instrumental Neo/Symphonic Prog by an overlooked female artists.Do yourself a favor and search for this hidden gem of the 00's, beautiful and strongly recommended music all the way...3.5 stars.