MARCH OF GHOSTS

I think this album is as good as Tick Tock that represents my first introduction to the band, album-wise. Previously I only knew the band from Marillion DVD set (Hogarth era). As you might guess, the name is something related to one of Marillion's songs.

I am really impressed with how delicate the guys in the band made this excellent album as the music is really nice to enjoy from start to end or full album at its entirety. Talking about style and similarity, I would say this is like Radiohead with much more definitive border, music-wise. You know, sometimes is very hard to get the music of Radiohead as you cannot guess where it's heading to or whether or not the music is going to end. Also, the music is quite similar with Marillion Hogarth era even though Gazpacho music is much clear and better - you know the melody as well as its nuances. Vocal wise, Gazpacho is much deeper than Hogarth voice style. Some people reckon this band is quite similar with Coldplay but it's proggier. As I am not quite familiar with Coldplay, I really cannot comment on this. But ....look at the subtleties of the music this band produce - it amazingly there is "feel" component in it which reminds me to Pink Floyd. I am not saying that the music is something like Pink Floyd but there is definitely "feel" i.e. the right timing for entering the music (usually through drum or voices). There are many segments that demonstrate excellent signatures.

What about this? : Marillion "H" + Radiohead + Pink Floyd + Coldplay ...?

Well it's really up to you. One thing for sure: I really enjoy this album from start to end and in most cases I need to replay the album in its entirety. I recommend you play this album LOUD during late night, put the light off plus a cup of hot black coffee (no sugar please ...!). Would be great if you have a decent stereo set, at minimum a NAD power and preamp, NAD CD player plus B&W speaker. WOW! You will get full satisfaction with your music journey if you have this with you ....!

"Monument" (2:06) kick the album off with a sort of unstructured and ambient music that was quite hard to digest at first spin but it grew on me and now has become an integral part that I can not afford not to play this tone setting track. It's strategically positioned at the beginning of the album to give the listeners an indication of what sort of music they will listen to. It seems like the music that follows would be a heavy one

But it's NOT! Listen to the second track "Hell Freezes Over I "(5:46) that enters nicely into my ears and it's really a joy listening especially with its ambient introduction using repeated guitar fills. Observe how drums enter the music in a crescendo style; it's really fantastic. In most cases I add my power amp volume to get full sound of this great entrance of drums. And then ...oh boy ...listen to how deep and powerful the male vocal puts his voice at the beginning of lyrical verse. It's really cool .....! The enjoyment does not stop here, my friends ... The next track "Hell Freezes Over II" (4:37) is another wonderfully crafted music. Even though this is the continuation of previous track but it has different style There are great segments I can feel throughout this track especially the time when there is a change of melody marked by the drums work or vocal or guitar work. All the style are really in slow tempo - but so powerful nuances. The interlude session with unique sort of keyboard sound - or probably other kind of instruments that sound like keyboard, making the music so traditional in nature.

"Black Lily" (4:58) continues the journey with powerful voice in the vein of Muse music - even though not exactly the same. The voice is deeper here, of course. "Gold Star" (4:15) starts off differently with sorts of mandolin or acoustic guitar work combined nicely with violin-like sound. It returns back to the "Hell Freezes Over III" (2:37). I do not know for what reason the band made the series in four parts but with different location in the album - there must be reason for doing that. But, it's really nice. And I am sure you will enjoy the innovative part in "Mary Celeste" (5:44) where you find a unique segment where you have a blend of traditional music performed beautifully by the band. To me this segment happens to be like a big surprise as it comes out at the later location of the entire album. It's really a cool segment. The segment I am referring to is somewhere located at the end of the track starting at minutes 4:15. It sounds like a traditional Scotland music? Am not sure but it's really great!

The rest of the album still in similar vein with previous tracks and they are all good tracks. What Did I Do reminds me to Muse music style.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to any prog music collection that you should not miss at all. It deserves a four-star plus rating. Enjoying the music of this album is like having peace of mind , so good ...so cool. You must have it! Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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