MOONSADNESS

It's interesting to hear where it all started for Italy's own MOONGARDEN. "Moonsadness" their debut is quite different from "The Gates Of Omega" their double album, and far from the sounds of the amazing "Round Midnight" record. I enjoy parts of this album quite a bit, enough to give it 3 stars if it weren't for the vocals. The guest English vocals are the worst I have ever heard, it's hard not to smile when thinking of them. Anyway they ruin this album for me.

"Breaking Mirrors" is a song that changes gears a lot. Instrumentally it's very well done. I like the heaviness before 2 minutes and the emotional guitar late. The vocals would break mirrors. "I Miss You More" has a good heavy sound to it until it settles with vocals. Yikes ! I like the guitar after 3 1/2 minutes to end it.

"Seagulls" is a good song. More emotional guitar here. "The Girl And The Moonman" is the over 17 minute track to end it. It kicks in before 2 minutes followed by vocals as it settles. I like the organ 6 1/2 minutes in. Flute after 9 1/2 minutes. It's heavier with mellotron after 11 minutes. Guitar follows. It's laid back the rest of the way.

This album as others have mentioned is in the Symphonic vein unlike the next two which I would call Neo-Prog. Again the vocals do a lot of damage to the sound here.