ILLUSIONS

Honestly, I´m still trying to find out why this dutch band is on the neo prog categorization. For Absent Friends is not really even a progressive group: their name (bearing one of Genesis early songs) is quite misleading. FAF plays a very sophisticated pop rock. It has some strong prog influences, especially on the keyboards arrangements, very good. But clearly this is not a neo prog band. So if you´re looking for something like Marillion, Pendragon, IQ or Pallas, forget it. They are nothing like that. Prog Related would be a more fitting label, I guess.

If you´re looking for melodic rock, well played, arranged and with strong songwriting, then you may find something very interesting. Those 3 songs on this EP are very good and highly enjoyable. Production could be a little better, but does not spoil the overall sound. If this was a straight rock or AOR site this wold be a 4 star rating at least. For PA, 3 stars.