RAINCHILD

The second album of Like Wendy is probably not as strong as the debut album. However, the band (even though only two personnel only) seemed like maintaining their music style like the debut album: mellow melodic, using vocal as main melody while keyboard and guitar serves as rhythms section or fillers with nice solo. I was not impressed at the first two opening tracks "Hymn" (2:49) and "Drowned" (6:23) as they both sound bit boring to me, no energy at all from the music; it's just flow very slowly so that I am not patient enough to wait when the hike up is going to happen? It's a hike up like in Marillion's "Forgotten Sons" or "Hotel Hobbies" which I believe Like Wendy would make it. In fact, the third track "Colours Of The Summer" (5:59) is still in mellow style. This one surprises me with the fact that the intro part is somewhat similar with the intro of Kansas "Incomudro" especially on the notes that keyboard plays.

"Spaces Of The Deep" (8:07) starts nicely with catchy piano work followed with dragging vocal line. The keyboard solo in the middle of the track is stunning, especially when it's combined with guitar work. "Underwater Voyager" (7:00) also uses piano to start the song. The piano part takes quite a long duration, approx 1 minute, followed with acoustic guitar fills just before the music moves with drum work. The keyboard solo that happens at minute 2 is excellent and catchy. "Shadow Of The Sun" (6:23) has an upbeat style, in a way, driven by the keyboard work. The remaining tracks share similar style with the previous ones. One thing I like is the last track "The River" (7:00) where I can find great Floydian guitar at the opening part of the song followed with music in good flow and melody.

Overall, this is a good neo progressive album with all songs are mellow in nature. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW