MINDFLOATER

It didn't take long for this album to win me over. First of all thanks to Finnforest for another winner from Italy. This is very modern sounding with lots of acoustic guitar, deep male vocals along with some great female vocals (both in English). There is some heaviness, in fact this record does contrast moods and sound very well. The thing that impresses me most is that it touches my emotions at times. Not sure why but it is very moving.

"The Neverending Meal" opens with some great sounding guitar, very intricate. Reserved male vocals join in then a fuller sound crashes in at a minute.The contrasts continue. Gotta love those organ runs as well. "High Meanings" is an interesting track, I like when it settles a minute in and 2 minutes in. Nice. Bass and drums are prominant late in the song. "A Bridge Beyond The Hill" opens with acoustic guitar, I like the atmosphere here. Female vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. The contrast continues. Killer sound before 3 minutes when the organ comes in. Hell ya ! Male vocals follow. "Mindflow" has these strummed guitar passages that come and go. Female vocals come in followed by a calm to the end.

"Magic Riddles Suite" consists of 5 parts and is around 20 minutes in length. Acoustic guitar to opem then reserved male vocals come in. I always think of MOONGARDEN when he sings here. It kicks in before 3 1/2 minutes and builds to a powerful sound in part 2. Nice. Part 3 is such a good section with those excellent male vocals and the way the mood changes. Part 4 is simply gorgeous.This is pure emotion for me with the acoustic guitar early and then the song gets much more powerful before settling down with piano. Gulp. Part 5 is the final part of this suite. It opens with gentle guitar but gives way to a heavier sound quickly. A good beat with organ and vocals follows. It calms down with piano before 4 minutes.

"Before The Walklight" features piano melodies throughout. "Walklight" is a good bright, uplifting song with vocals. "Mindfloater" features melancholic acoustic guitar throughout. "The Bridge Beyond the Hill" is mellow with gentle guitar and reserved vocals to start. It does get fuller and we get some cool atmosphere before 2 minutes to the end. "In A Lightbox" is kind of spacey with drums to open. Male vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Piano 3 minutes in are just perfect here. Female vocals 4 minutes in create emotion for me. Very cool track.

This is one of those albums that I look forward to putting on while I just kick back and enjoy the ride.