THE BURDEN OF PARADISE

Review #33. I must admit that I had no idea about 'Different Light'; this is actually the first album I listened by them, and I am very pleased to say the least. When I sit down to write a "review" I try to listen to the album at least 3 or 4 times first. (Right now I am listening to it for the 3rd time).

So, let's take a closer look: The album includes 8 songs, with 2 of them being divided into many smaller parts, and has a total running time of more than an hour. The album's characteristic is the 2 long suits, 'In the Grand Scheme of Things', and 'Eternal Return'. 'In The Grand Scheme of Things' is the album's opening song, an - almost - 22-minute-long suite, which is divided into 8 shorter parts. It is a typical example of modern Progressive Rock, (I will not say Neo-Prog), including very nice melodies and many turns and changes. The dominant instrument is the keyboards, with the electric guitar playing a significant role as well. Personally speaking, I heard many Marillion influences here and there, but it doesn't really matter since the outcome is very good and pleasant to the ears. (Upon listening to it over and over, you will discover more "hidden" influences from other bands as well). Next comes Voice of Outside, a beautiful and melodic tune, which is one of the album's personal favorites. Voice of the Outside is followed by the instrumental A St. Martin's Summer, a very pleasant tune with very good guitar work, and a heavier overall sound. Although it is not a bad tune, it passes - let's say - unnoticed, because of the 2 previous and the next song, which are really good ones! So, after St. Martin's Summer comes the highlight of the album in my opinion, Eternal Return. It is the album's second long suite, divided in 6 parts. With very good rhythm, beautiful melodies, sweet piano passages and nice changes in the song's main structure, it surely is a very good song, that "catches" the listener's attention from the first listening. Transient Dreams is also a good piece, but being placed after Eternal Return is loosing some of its dynamic. After that, Mare Imbrium enters, which is actually the intro for the 10-minute-long Love and War, that is divided in 2 parts. Another very good tune! All for You is the album's closing song, a cool and relaxed melody, with piano and acoustic guitar in most parts. Not bad, but also nothing special as well. So, in order to sum up, what we have here is a very good album, including some impressive moments, especially with the presence of the 2 long suites, beautiful melodies and a soft and pleasant sound, that can be appreciated by almost everyone, being a Progressive Rock fan or not.

In my opinion their overall sound and style reminds me of the Scottish band Comedy of Errors, but in an improved way so to say. The Burden of Paradise is a very pleasant and enjoyable album, one of this year's surprises, that you should definitely give it a try! [Because of my radio show, I get the chance to speak and "meet" with many artists, and sometimes their overall behaviour matters to my final decision. I contacted their leader Trevor Tabone a few days ago, and I have to say that he seems like a very cool and gentle guy. (I will have him actually as guest in my radio show on the 16th of October).] So, my rating will be 3.5 stars for the album, plus 0.5 stars for Trevor's overall behaviour, which adds up to 4.0 solid stars.