SHIP OF FOOLS

OZRIC TENTACLES seem to be an influence for sure but I like how they add these vocal samples and bits even some narration all reminding me of early PORCUPINE TREE and how Wilson would interject stuff like that during their psychedelic period. Highlights have to include the over 15 minute "From Time" with the narration talking about the "ships of fools" and what they were about. Very cool along with the contrasts of the powerful guitar/drum sections with the more spacier laid back passages. It will eventually trip along before ending in a spacey atmosphere with spoken words.

More talk about inner space on the closer but before that we get a spacey sound with space transmissions. Some inventive guitar later. There's a really good powerful section on the title track 6 1/2 minutes in with guitar out front. It's very spacey to end it. The opener "Elevator" is kind of cool and OZRICS like but I prefer the final three songs I just talked about. "Diesel Spaceship" though is really good, that second track with spoken words about hurtling through the cosmos.

"First Light" is well done with that long 2 1/2 minute spacey intro before kicking into a mid paced groove with organ then changing slightly with synths and ethnic sounds. Contrasts continue. Not bad. "Guidance Is Eternal" features space transmissions, spoken word samples lots of spacey sounds and a space groove all coming and going. And that guitar after 3 1/2 minutes needs a mention.

Easily a 4 star record with some cool ideas in play making this truly an album experience the way they connect these songs together.

Heavily influenced by bands like PINK FLOYD,DJAM KARET and OZRIC TENTACLES,Ship of fools deliver nice Space Rock with prog touches like on the opener ''In the wake of...'',where guitars have an Ethnic edge and are mixed with hypnotic synths and programmed flutes.''Where is here?'' is dominated by atmospheric synths all the way under a catchy repetitive rhythm with guitars supporting,while ''Passage by night'' is more of the same,but with some great organ added.''L=Sd2'' is fantastic with nice guitar work,good breaks and superb floating synths,followed by ''S.O.L. '93'',where sampled flutes appear again along with distorted spacey guitars and atmospheric electronics in a very Eastern-influenced mood.''Star jumper'' has a more intense and accesible rhythm with the groovy drumming being this time noticed,while the guitar work is more melodic and the synths have a more supporting role.On ''Western lands'' the flute work shines through along with the acoustic guitars in the beginning,while the track maintains a strong Meditterenean feeling till the end due to the strong doses of accordion thrown in.Even some grandiose symphonic synths appear here,this track is absolutely great.The eponymous closing cut is the longer as well.Opening with an Ambient/Ethnic feeling with flutes and percussion,it soon follows a very spacey groove with background keys and constant appearances of ethnic instrumentation.

This album is good.It is nowhere near the hypnotic stuff offered by other bands of the genre and the combination of Space Rock with a fair amount of Ethnic hints is satisfying.Fans of the aforementioned bands should check this out.Overall ''Close Your Eyes (Forget the World)'' comes warmly recommended.

The opener Diesel Spaceship is a great space rock tune garnished with samples and diverse synth elements but also played with a modern straightforward beat. Ambient soundscapes are substituted by heavy guitar riffs after some minutes on L=SD2 where keyboarder Damien is getting near to Eloy's symphonic style. One song I want to point out especially is From Time - the exception I mentioned before - wonderfully floating 14 minutes with great guitar appearance which can be defined as jamming for sure - a highlight! And it seems they reworked the original tracks for some new transitions. The song is fading into Passage By Night from the other album as if they were produced as one epic. The nice folk/pop tinged Western Lands gets a little bit out of the range.

Because SHIP OF FOOLS are blending a bunch of influences this album is diffult to compare as for the whole entity. Very spacey using spheric keyboards and soundscapes but also provided with a modern neo progressive groove this might appeal to fans of Ozric Tentacles or Körai Öröm. You will explore music which is not weird or experimental particularly - an interesting find anyhow with quite accessable songs according to the genre - 3.5 stars.