AFTER ALL...

At the fall of 2006 Eye 2 Eye faced the departures of Benoit Derat and Cecile Carratero, but soon they would find their replacements on singer Jack Daly and bassist Aymeric Delteil.The recording sessions for a second album started in 2008 and the following year the new album ''After all...'' saw the light with the support of Musea Records.

The line-up changes only good could have made to a band that had a rich and grandiose sound, but failed to deliver memorable material and conveincing songwriting.The receipt was the same: Mostly long tracks with plenty of changes, melodic passages and doses of symphonic grandiosity next to more downtempo atmospheric soundscapes.The influences come still from the music of MARILLION, PINK FLOYD, GENESIS and PENDRAGON with the musicianship being often absolutely bombastic and dense.What had really changed was the presence of striking melodies, the delivery of more powerful, orchestral movements and, last but not least, the presence of a new singer with a highly expressive voice.The arrangements contain plenty of changing climates, mostly in a very emotional or theatrical manner, that are tightly connected to each other, with floating synthesizers, cinematic orchestrations and deeply lyrical offerings.The guitar work is usually stunning, serving the needs of the atmosphere.Nervous riffs leave their places to thrilling solos, while there lots of GILMOUR-like smooth vibes around.The result ranges from sufficient to outstanding and the atmospheric textures are in a great balance with the melodic patterns or the more emphatic instrumental ideas.

This is certainly a welcome development over the decent but slightly colorless ''One in every crowd''.A must have for Neo/Symphonic buffs and a warmly recommended album for all lovers of atmospheric Progressive Rock...3.5 stars.