PARADOXES

OK probably a 3 stars and an half score should be righter (if naturally you're into their commercial "pomp rock" in the vein of Saga or Asia...instead-in any case- if you are not involved into their mainstream music, stay away from the first part concerning the fertile production of the early years, which is not so complex!!). But coming back to the present issue, this is their best album of such "Pomp-Rock", along with the discontinuous "Fantasma" (this latter much heavier and sometimes also more inspiring too), even though actually a certain discontinuity in their songs is hidden behind the corner. The first track is a New-Progressive mainstream tune, in the middle between SAGA and ASIA, but with an interpretation of their own. Not all the vocals parts are convincing and sometimes the melodic lines can not be kept in mind easily; instead the production is exceptional and the other compact and melodic tracks confirm this opinion. Moreover the programmed keyboards are often tasteful and as for this important reason, this album can complete your "Mainstream" collection in the vein of Saga, Styx and a few (fortunately) AOR albums by Kansas!!

Recommended for the lovers of this particular genre only, even though -as an album of "Pomp-Rock"- it is not completely essential, and obviously I prefer the majority of progressive music without commercial compromises,for sure much more than this kind of works...that's a completely different story, but it never minds!!