THE SHADOWS PLAYGROUND

This is the second solo album from Barbara Rubin, who some may remember from the Italian progressive metal band Loreweaver and their albums 'Imperviae Auditiones' and 'Italic'. Their last album was in 2014, and Barbara's previous solo release was from 2010, but I am sure she must have been doing something else in between as talent like this does not know how to rest. Although she was "just" the singer in Loreweaver, here it is her musical skills which are really on show, as she is a classically trained musician in two quite different areas, namely violin/viola and piano, and it is these which form the basis for the album. Her touch on both is absolutely beautiful, and in many ways, I would have preferred this to have been an instrumental album as while though she has brought in a great male singer in Andrea Giolo, there are times when her own vocals somewhat grate. She has a really good voice, but I do get the impression that vocally she would be happier performing in a different manner, as sometimes it just does not work in this style.

Given that the music is far more classical in nature than rock or progressive rock, one expects there to be a professional trained alto or soprano over the top, and Barbara does not sing in that style which is why it somewhat jars, which is a real shame. I could listen to her piano all day, as there is a deftness of touch which she has captured wonderfully in her home studio, and her relaxed method provides her with a superb platform for the lead violin. Barbara does everything herself on this album apart from the occasional male vocal and an additional female on just one song, yet one would not realise this was a solo album as she makes the instruments sing. I am intrigued to see where she goes from here, and whether we are going to get another solo album in this vein or if she is going to undertake more work in the progressive scene, but whatever it is, I am sure it will be well worth investigating as there are some moments of sublime beauty to be found here.