SIGNPOSTS

Vertical Alignment was a US-based group formed by 70's Prog enthusiasts with strong links to Christian Progressive Rock.Jim Braunreuther (vocals, keyboards), Monty Pierce (guitar, bass), Mike Adams (drums), Terri Jorgensen (bass) and Pete Jorgensen (vocals, multiple instruments) made up this great company of musicians and recorded their debut album ''Signposts'' in 2006.The album features a huge guest list, including Fred Schendel, Steve Babb and Eric Parker, all members of Glass Hammer, Kevin Jarvis from Farpoint, Carl Groves of Salem Hill, Will Henderson from Ajalon and Randy George, both of Ajalon and the Neal Morse group.The album was released privately the same year.

''Signposts'' is a great example of solid, rich and melodic US Symphonic Rock with the occasional modern lines of a Neo Prog act, delivering full respect to the music of the 70's and adding a personal touch in the lyrics.The impressive line-up eventually resulted a fantastic album, obviously containing echoes from the music of GLASS HAMMER, AJALON and SALEM HILL with also some links to European bands such as EGDON HEATH or AGENTS OF MERCY.The music is always performed with passion, strong sense of melody and dynamics, offering very good instrumental workouts, memorable melodies, compact songwriting and pompous keyboard solos.Although having a strong symphonic flavor of the past akin to YES, KANSAS and BABYLON, the album is mostly performed on synthesizers, but there are also plenty of Mellotron showering and light organ moves throughout.The talent of Vertical Alignment is especially emphatic in the long tracks, like the 16-min. ''Freedom's call'' or the 12-min. ''Rented houses''.Very good Symphonic Rock with some acoustic flavors and series of outstanding melodies, complex twists, unexpected breaks and bombastic interplays.The shorter tracks are also competent and intricate with a convincing balance between harmonic tunes, lyrical expressions and fiery instrumentals, characterized by a huge number of changing climates.

History prooved that the band released one more album in 2009, ''Lost in space'', available via their official site, which went under the radar and has become extremely rare.In 2013 an announcement on facebook marked the end of their history with the members focusing on other projects.Mike Florio was the lead singer of the group during its last sessions.

''Signposts'' remains a must-have for all fans of contemporary Neo/Symphonic Prog.Full of orchestral keyboards, sharp interplays and striking melodies, it will satisfy also any fan of the nostalgic era of Progressive Music.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.