THE LOST TAPES

Veteran Dutch outfit,formed in 1977 in Hauge,which became more mature through a small number a gigs in the Netherlands and even recorded an EP with two songs in 1978.A record company was interested in the band,but pushed them towards a more commercial sound.The members denied and this was PLACKBAND's end (in 1982).A reunion at the dawn of the new millenium brought the tape of their last performance at ''De Paap'' in Hague on Christmas Eve 1981,which was remastered and released as a private pressing in 2000.

STYLE: Pure Symphonic Rock in the old GENESIS tradition with influences from both 70's era's.They present also a good amount of fairly complex interplays,some jazzy traces here and there and a slight early 80's neo-influence,but the music focuses strongly on the expressive vocals and refined melodies.Guitars are full of HACKETT-like sounds,while keyboardist Michel van Wassem had to be a big fan of TONY BANKS (take some listens on his work on moog).

INFLUENCES/SOUNDS LIKE: GENESIS for 90% of the album plus a hidden FOCUS/YES impact on their sound.

PLUS: Very good orchestrations,decent record quality, series of delicate melodic parts and good instrumental interplays,the singer has an OK voice,without being exceptional or copying Gabriel's vocals as many GENESIS wannabees,a few fantastic keyboard passages.

MINUS: Total absence of originality.Parts of the album good could have been easily on a GENESIS album without even noticing it.Also a better singer could have easily given the band the appropriate lift.

WILL APPEAL TO: Die-hard fans of vintage GENESIS and followers of calm Symphonic and Classic Progressive Rock in general.

CONCLUSION/RATING: 3.5 stars,a quite good album of Classic Progressive Rock with a few excellent parts.