PRIMITIVE

By mid-00's The Watch appeared like being the hottest of names among new Prog bands.They had only released two studio albums, but a wide set of live booklets had also appeared in the market like if they where the new Genesis or Yes.In 2006 the first official live was launched by the band as a fan-club release and even this one was named ''Live bootleg'', it also contained one track never to become part of The Watch'es official studiography, ''Doctor mystere''.In 2007 they released their third work ''Primitive'' with the neverending support of Lizard Records.

Expect no other than GENESIS-inspired Symphonic Rock with an electroacoustic domination and plenty of Mellotron strings and choirs on this one.They haven't moved an inch from this particular style and they started to be accused as a non-developing group with no other intention than to reincarnate the sound of GENESIS.On the other hand ''Primitive'' offered yet another list of great songs/arrangements with a vintage atmosphere few bands could reproduce and their music was always executed without any serious flaws or overblown pomposity.The deep bass lines, soaring keyboards and muddy guitars are somewhat reminiscent of Norwegians FRUITCAKE, but the omnipresent Mellotron and Gabriel-esque vocals of Simone Rossetti are the straight links to GENESIS' old sound and the reason the band sounded so unique in its own way.While the tracks are not that strong as on ''Vacuum'', there are some excellent cuts in here, like the opening ''Sound of sirens'', highlighted by the excellent Moog synth leaks or the following dramatic, lyrical and grandiose ''The border''.''Two paces to the rear'' is another great piece of art with temperamental moods, switching from dreamy moods to big orchestral atmospheres all the time plus the farewell ''Soaring on'' is propably the best dream ballad ever recorded by the band.

The Watch may circulate the old Genesis fundamentals, but noone can accuse them for not doing it good.This is some nice Retro Symphonic Rock with tons of analog keyboards and poetic moments, no less than strongly recommended...3.5 stars.