MOTH VELLUM

Another blind dive in the endless pool of prog of which most is to be found on this site as it should be. But this time it wasn't PA that introduced me despite the stream track available here. I just saw it in the store listened to the opening song and decided to go for it.

And indeed the opening track is one of the better of the album, so in this case it was a wise thing to do by the band to put a good song up front. But I noticed through the years that many bands are this clever so I think the record companies will have a hand in this also. Anyway Let the Race Begin is a very melodic tune with some great keyboards on several occasions in the song. Accessible but still real proggy. 4*.

The second song is the reason this band is said to have Yes elements, the exaggeraters amongst us call them a Yes clone immediately because of it, this song is 90% Yes for sure, especially the guitarist sounds a lot like Steve Howe. I can tell you not all you hear on the album is Yes immitation. 3,5*.

Third track is the stream track, Salvo, and this gives you a pretty good idea of what Moth Vellum is about. It's a very versatile track consisting of many different parts and styles. If you think Moth Vellum is a Yes clone, dead wrong on this song because I can truly hear In the Cage by Genesis at around the 10:00 mark. But earlier in the song I also hear hints to Glass Hammer, seems to me this is simply symphonic prog we are talking about and there will always be comparisons makeable. Could also be of course this band is not willing to deny their roots and just admits it. Besides all these statements I believe this song is the highlight of the album. 4,25*.

Against the Suns is a very mellow song but in a nice way I have to admit. This is not annoyingly cheesy, well maybe at a few moments but overall it's dreamy and relaxed. Another example of the good variation there is to be found on this album. 3,75*.

Walk it Off is exactly the same length as previous song (11:22) and is also a bit in the same easy listening style just less dreamy and a bit more aggressive with some resemblance to Wakeman (church)organ after 5 minutes. There's almost as much variation as on Salvo, I really like this feature of Moth Vellum. 4*.

Against the Suns (reprise) is same as the lengthy version a nice laid back track that's easily digested. 3,75*.

Summarized I can say this is a very promising debut by this American band. I would like to recommend this album to all lovers of Symphonic Prog and I feel more of our reviewers and guests should give this band a try because 7 ratings for such a high class album is ridiculously low. 4 stars well deserved.