THE INTELLIGIBLE SKY

Adrianne Simioni comes from the southern part of Brazil, learning to play the guitar and the violin as a teenager, getting involved in a few bands since the years of studying Physics at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.The turning point of her career comes in 1991, when she meets Zozimo Rech while playing in the Electronic/Classical act Orquestra Profana.Together they shared a common interest both for Prog Rock and Astronomy and decided to establish the Astronomusic project, where they combined their two loves in one.After spending sometime in the States, learning much about the local scene, she returns in Brazil in 1998, joining the Country Rock act The Travellers.Rech was also the man, who helped Simioni on the recordings of her sole personal release ''The intelligible sky'', released independently in 2006.Simioni plays guitars and violin on the album, while Rech plays keyboards and contributes some electric guitars as well.

The talent of Simioni as a composer, arranger and instrumentalist shines through this album, which comes as a cross between Neo Prog and soft Symphonic Rock with a bit of New Age thrown in for good measure.The music is mostly dreamy and very elaborate with refined, all instrumental arrangements, suffering only by a few fake instrumental textures in the orchestral parts, but offering some excellent music with beautiful melodies and symphonic arrangements in the process.Simioni's guitar style shows influences from the music of CAMEL, GANDALF and resemblances to Italian MYSIA, but her original touch comes in the fair amount of Neo-Classical vibes during the solo parts.No virtuosic shredding ala Yngwie Malmsteen, only smooth and melodic lines of sheer beauty.On the other hand the addition of the Classical-drenched violin themes draws comparisons with compatriots QUATERNA REQUIEM and SAGRADO CORACAO DA TERRA with Rech providing the discreet organ and synth background soundscapes.Several tracks feature a strong instrumental Neo Prog basis with more flashy, pronounced keyboard moves and a good collaboration with Simioni's emotional guitar content, while the drum programming is decent but not exceptional.Resemblances do not stop here.The keyboard-driven Classical interludes and the display of melodic, Neo-Classical guitar melodies remind me also of Italian acts such as SITHONIA or later-era METAMORFOSI.Dynamics are present in most pieces, which are kept midway between rich and emphatic instrumental variations and a more laid-back and sensitive architecture.

Very good instrumental Neo/Symphonic Prog by an overlooked female artists.Do yourself a favor and search for this hidden gem of the 00's, beautiful and strongly recommended music all the way...3.5 stars.