TERMINAL TWILIGHT

Now this is what prog is supposed to sound like! Great ambience, great representation on all instruments, great shifting textures and mixes, great production. I am amazed by the clarity of each instrument's recording in the mixes. Beautiful. One of the best aural headphones experiences I've had this year. Reminds me of a Peter Gabriel or Kate Bush recording with its clarity and definition. I love the sound of this bass player's playing. I love the sneak in appearance by one-of-a-kind vocalist Tim Bowness (he always adds so much to anyone's song, IMO) on the gorgeous (love flute, piano and STEVE JANSEN-like drums) "Kansas Regrets." I love the female vocalist's tonal quality--and the BJORK-like enunciation. I love the understated individual performances which yield wonderful ensemble performances (not-unlike PINK FLOYD). I love the dreamy, eerie, almost surreal, lazy sounds and flow to "Red Leaves" (kind of PÄATOS-like). The 13-minute "Searise" reminds me of a RENAISSANCE epic--with a little of the heavier side of PÄATOS mixed in. And, try as I might, I'm unable to pick out any direct influences! They sound familiar, symphonic, yet kind of original--though at times I hear MAGENTA and Hogarth-era MARILLION. I just love this album! It's my new top album of the year--ahead of Sean Filkins, Wobbler, Introitus, Fen, and Opeth. My only complaints: a bit monotonous with the album's over-all tempo; wish (as I always do) for some vocal harmonies. Still, a great listen start to finish--one that I will come back to again and again.

Five star songs: "Natasha of the Burning Woods," Hawks Circle the Mountain," "Kansas Regrets," "Red Leaves, "Searise.""

Four star songs: "Snowswept," "A Rumour of Twilight," "Floor 67."