MORE GRAINS OF SAND

As I put it at the review of first album:

Since the emerging symphonic prog movement or I called it as a second generation of prog where at that time the classic prog like King Crimson, Yes, Genesis and the like was in a decline in terms of public taste and then came into the scene new born bands carring the prog flag with simpler music through names like Marillion, IQ, Pallas, Pendragon, I found the musical characteristics can be categorized into two types:

First, those who take the new generation music called as neo-prog with the sort of dragging keyboard sounds and Floydian guitar solo or I can call them as the "Chelsea Monday"-like kind of music. Chlesea Monday is one song from Marillion's debut album "Script" where the music is quite mellow with Floydian guitar solo. There are many bands that follow this kind of music style, including Clepsydra.

Second, those who really try to emulate the kind of music that Script from Marillion has penned in its entirety including the Chelsea Monday like or the He Knows You Know like or in fact Forgotten Sons like music. It's quite difficult actually to do this second category as only Marillion, IQ and Pallas that can do good job on this. As you know they are all pioneers of neo prog and of course they can do it really well. Look at how Marillion's first four albums can produce this second category music really well, and also IQ still can do it through its latest album "The Road of Bones" where the opening track "From The Outside In" is truly a good representation of He Knows You Know like.

At this second album the band tried to move from the first category to the second one with much more energy and dynamics injected into the the music. The result is an interesting album mbetter than the first offering where the dragging keyboard work were dominating the scene. In fact right from the opening track The First Grain (Setting The Hour Glass) (0:45) that connect to the second one Moonshine On Heights (7:13) the music demontrates energy and dynamic as He Knows You Know from Marillion even though at not the same energy. But at least the music is now more interesting and challenging to me personally. Even though Birthday Party (7:17) is mellow and like the first category but it has great nuances and makes me interested to enjoy further.

No Place For Flowers (8:04) as well as Fly Man (4:10) demonstrate the dynamics of the music and I enjoy the energy the band sparks through the excellent compositions of these two songs. The msuic is not as quality as Forgotten Sons but they are both very enjoyable.

Overall, the album is much better than the debut even though there are still elements that need further improvement, There are great keyboard sols as well as guitar solo throughout the songs provided by this album. Recommended for those who like neo prog and it's worth having it in your collection. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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