THE WORLD IS FLAT AND OTHER ALTERNATIVE FACTS

Diverse Neo Prog from these Dutch veterans. The gorgeous epic, "Symphony for a Perfect Moment" alone makes this album worth checking out, but there is other great stuff here as well.

1. "March Of Peace" (5:38) solid prog-by-numbers on the heavier side of Neo Prog. Actually kind of irritating. (7.75/10)

2. "The Flow" (8:46) a tender Neo Prog ballad enhanced nicely by classical instruments (violin, oboe, flute, French horn) and female background vocalistsi Nice fusion of heavier sides of Neo Prog with the traditional acoustic instruments. Just not catchy enough with melodic or lyrical hooks. Great guitar solo near the end and wonderful neoclassical finish. (17/20)

3. "Six Feet Underground" (9:35) opens with solo barroom jazz piano. Full band enters to establish its intentions at the end of the first minute. Everything drops out for solo synth strings to support Brian de Graeve's lead vocal. Piano and 12-string guitar join before the music builds back up into full spectrum dynamics. The almost-catchy melodies and lyrics remind me of soul-less American Neo Prog-by-the-numbers band SPOCK'S BEARD. Solid music littered with too many standard and therefore predictable (almost embarrassing or laughable) prog "tricks" or "gimmicks." Plus, the plastic sound of the drum hits annoy me. (16/20)

4. "Symphony For A Perfect Moment" (17:56) is this the same band? It sounds so much more relaxed, so much smoother and melodic. The sound palette is much more like BIG BIG TRAIN or LIFESIGNS. There's a wonderful AMBROSIA-like palette to the vocal harmonies and melodies. I think the relaxed pace and warm palette suits this band much better than that of the heavier Neo Prog. Plus, the multi-voiced side of the band is quite beautiful. The band hits all of the right notes, chords, and shifts without being predictable or too repetitive. How can a band that sounded so one-dimensional in its previous three songs suddenly sound so fresh and creatively perfect? (33/35)

5. "Sakura" (2:50) nylon-stringed guitar solo with synth support. (4.5/5)

6. "Turn It Off" (5:29) opens with classical guitar and synths before Brian enters to tell his sad story. The "orchestral" music here may be entirely generated by synths (except for the guitar and voice). Oboe enters in the instrumental section to solo before the music burst into a full electric prog rock range of instruments and sound. The use of oboe and other acoustic instruments is perfect. (8.75/10)

Total time 50:14

B/four stars; an excellent (if diverse and inconsistent) Neo Prog release that would make an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection.