20TH ANNIVERSARY MACHIAVEL - THE VERY BEST OF

As usual for us proggers I do not fancy compilations, but when in the late 90's I moved to Belgium and some local guy adviced me to check out Machiavel I didn't know anything at all about this band, and when I saw this compilation album in a store I thought it might be a good starting point. Probably it was not, because later on I have learnt that their 3 first albums seem to be really good while this compilation is at most average.

This compilation was released in '96 and gathers the period from the band's debut in '76 until '81 (they would rejoin and release further albums). '76 was quite late for a prog band to start and the '80's were at the end of the corner, and indeed we see a clear shift in direction as from '79. Luckily the compilation gives dominance to the period '76 - '78 with around 45 minutes out of the total 70+, but still the total package is somehow harmed by the most modern tracks.

The tracks from '76 to '78 are not impressive but they are good enough and at times quite original, the band performs a kind of soft prog, to mention some references I would say something like early Alan Parsons, Supertramp, The Moody Blues, Ambrosia etc.

The '79 - '81 tracks have a more '80's feel, with influences such as The Police.

Not bad but far from impressive. Since this compilation failed to impress me I never went on to check their studio albums, but by the ratings in PA it can well be that the first 3 albums are worth giving a try (3 stars for the debut and 4 stars for the 2nd and 3rd albums). Something to check out some day.