MASTERS OF ILLUSION

Being presently the latest studio album of this interesting Welsh symphonic combo, led by keyboard wizard Rob Reed and fronted by notable singer Christina Booth, "Masters of Illusion" will not disappoint the band's followers in keeping high the instrumental, compositive and vocal standards for which they are well known. It results to be a really accomplished piece of work in that sense: the resemblance to the sound of Renaissaince still holds strong through the whole record, sustained above all by Christina's voice, very reminiscent of Hannie Haslam's. Also present here is the interesting guitar soloing by Chris Fry, not so cloned now from Steve Howe's own phrasing as it has been formerly "accused" of.

I have to say also that, even displaying impressive songwriting and arranging skills, this album is not particularly graced with the gift of melodic originality: in that sense it's hard to tell the difference with the band's previous output. There are exceptions however, and I've found one in the fourth track, "Snow", which stands out to my ears and taste as the most memorable in this set, precisely because of its melodic charm.

Being the kind of person that feels comfortable not only with the convoluted, but also with the more mellow, symphonic but not overcomplex end of the progressive spectrum, I've found a good one here and think you might too.