HOLLOW

Having heard the previous two albums of Little Atlas, this new album "Hollow" (2007) does not surprise me musically as I am quite familiar with it. This is the kind of music that I admire in its entirety as an excellent music but it has failed to create a strong motive for me to re-spin the CD. It has happened with their previous two albums in which the CDs have been lying at shelf and I never re-spin long time ago since I got the CDs. It's probably most of the songs are straight forward with relatively minimum changes in music style from one point to another until it finishes. The opening track "Hollow" proves what I have just said. The music flows naturally in a sequence that can be followed by any music buffs - not necessary a prog man.

But at second track the band is willing to explore the music further with music horizon differs from previous track as well as any styles of its previous albums. In fact it uses an ambient opening in mellow style with the work of saxophone. The music moves slowly until in the middle of the track it moves into upbeat fast tempo with excellent arrangements. I think this is a very progressive song because it goes through multiple ups and downs with different styles.

"Paranoiac" starts beautifully with vintage organ sounds followed with a blast of music that reminds me to Spock's Beard. It's a cool intro. This is an attractive song with great combination of guitar, keyboard work in relatively fast tempo and energetic mode from start to end with some beautiful breaks through bass guitar and keyboard inventive notes in transition segments. It's a pleasure enjoying this track especially with its great keyboard solo and catchy piano work. It reminds me to Rick Wakeman but in different ways.

"Contimacious" starts nicely with acoustic guitar rhythms followed with drum work in which the tom sounds are quite unique and quite dominant followed with singing line. I can consider this is a ballad music in medium tempo. "Preying" opens with ambient piano followed with medium tempo music. This song includes a narration (a dialogue) in the middle of the track. At approx minute 2:00 the song turns into a reggae style with its unique guitar rhythm. "Orderly" starts mellow with a great piano work accompanied by acoustic guitar followed with choirs in ambient mood. The song moves into medium tempo music. "Hiding" is another ballad in mellow style formed by the combination of guitar and keyboard /piano.

"Stage" , the opening part reminds me to the music of Rush especially "Permanent Wave" album. "Symbiosis" is really a great track with complex opening combining keyboard, guitar and dynamic drumming and it then flows into break with powerful singing. "Special" concludes the album with good ballad, with great acoustic guitar work.

Overall, I consider this as an excellent addition to any prog music collection. The music of Little Atlas can be considered as original one because I can not find any peculiar influence that dominates the album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

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