OPEN FIRE

Strong melodic progressive rock from The Room, in the vein of Saga with an injection of 80's AOR (yes, no shame here), Pink Floyd melodies, a nostalgic Marillion feeling and plenty, plenty of mellow pianos in the vein of Queen.

Wilson and Anderson also carry something from Grey Lady Down with them, as neo-prog elements find their way in the second (and stronger) part of the album. The focus here is nevertheless, poppy and accessible prog rock, but played at such a pristine way that even the AOR/Magnum-like A Casual Believer sounds absolutely pleasant. The flow of the album is really well worked out, although I would prefer more adventurous passages and less straightforward rock and prog-ballad pieces. If you like this new wave of progressive rock, you will definitely enjoy this album. Careful songwriting that "plays safe", but when it deviates from this norm it really shows the band's capabilities.

3.5 stars and warmly recommended

Highlights (with some distance to the others): A Multitude of Angels, In the Shadows, The Spark