FIVE-O-ONE AM

Give some credit to this 5-piece for adding some cool sax lines among the typical characteristics of a Neo Prog band, which were the refined melodies, the Classical-influenced piano lines, the dreamy keyboard parts and the smooth electric guitars.Musically they sound somewhere between EGDON HEATH, PTS and CLIFFHANGER, passing through dramatic textures, atmospheric soundscapes and uptempo passages, having overall a pretty balanced sound, which includes some fine vocal performances.They could produce some very good lyrical parts, complementing the well-crafted musicianship, featuring dual executions on keyboards and piano, adding some symphonic elements, but keeping in general a pompous style similar to the Neo Prog bands of the period.Not very risky material to say the truth, but all tracks are at least decent with some nice instrumental tricks.The opening ''Journey'', which is the only instrumental track of the album, is representative of the 5:01 AM's talent, very diverse, with great guitar and keyboard parts and a beautiful sax solo by Arde.

Unknown and underground Neo Prog EP.Hard to find, but if you do, this is rewarding for its deep sense of melody and elaborate arrangements.Recommended.

Five-O-One is an unknown dutch neo prog band releasing so far one album in 1996 named 21st Century Dream. I bought the labum from Musea records few month ago, knowing that I will listen to a good neo prg album and yet very unknown to larger public. Plesently surprised , specially by the voice of Edu Varde, very unique voice, his range and tone of voice is excellent for this kind of music, he is not another Fish or Gabriel clone, he has his own personality and it's obvious here on every piece. The guitarist Rich Reinders ( who is also the designer of the cover art of the CD) done a very good job here, specialy on piece The swing - great track that is a good ex how must sound a neo prog piece, superb guitar arrangements and fantastic vocal lines, the best track from the album no doubt. The keybords are ok, with good moments, not something spectacular but good on every piece. Not a weak moment here on this almost forgotten album, each tune has his own splendour and the band is sincer , a thing that I like a lot. The music is not boring, the band goes easy from more uptempo moments to more slower ones very easy, each musician knows to use the instrument very well. The arrangements are well developed and enough complex to please any serious progressive rock fan. 3.5 for this album, a solid one yet very unnoticed by many fans of progressive rock, specially the ones who are more towards neo prog. The band had a special sound and I can't think to a band that sounds alike, maybe, just maybe at some point to Ziff or Mindgames, but Five-O-One is more english in sound. A recommended album to be descovered or re discovered by much more listners.