A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

This album represents my first experience with Green Carnation - a band that I had been hearing the name many times from prog friends as well as prog sites. But I had no clue at all about the music until a friend of mine, Rizal, who work in Singapore brought in this album for me to have a couple of spins. Oh man . I don't know how to describe the feeling I had when I first spun the CD at my NAD player and B&W bookshelf speaker system. One thing for sure: this kind of music is really straightforward and no need to think about the complexity of structure or composition. It flew naturally and it engrossed gently into my ears and my mind; and it finally sent a strong signal to my heart telling "this music is very enjoyable!". Yeah . that's what I felt. Right away this album became my favorite and I kept playing it at my CD player, car stereo and my laptop. I like the simplicity of composition this album offers.

Having enjoyed couple of spins, finally I checked out this site and found out the rating was something like 3 plus stars. I don't understand that most people rate this album with just good one. But it is okay with me, because that's what PROG is all about: everyone has his /her own view about certain album. So, my job is simple: respect what others view about that album and "find my own voice" (ehm .. it seems I'm using Mr. Stephen Covey's term in his book titled "The 8th Habit - From Effectiveness to Greatness". Mr. Covey, should I pay you a royalty of using your term?) about that album. So is the case with this "Blessing in Disguise" album - despite many have given three stars rating, I think this one deserves four stars: an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Well, my voice seems similar with colleague reviewer MikeEnRegalia who just put his voice at this site.

It might be misleading if we put Green Carnation under prog met category as the music is not something that typical progmet bands do: heavy riffs and hard edge guitar solo. I find it rare guitar solo in this album, but I have to admit that there are many "soft" guitar riffs. It's probably the riffs that forced the band under prog met category. And I understand that because the opening track "Crushed to Dust" (4:26) contains guitar riffs and sort of prog metal sounds. But when the music moves into second track "Lullaby in Winter" (7:49), you might be surprised by the composition that offers two major parts of structure while the latter contains Hammond organ solo which reminds you to the music of Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll. Do you know a classic track by Julie Driscoll titled "Road to Cairo"? If you do, you may find the organ solo sounds very similar! It's so wonderful, my friend. If you were there in the 70s music, you will find this track 2 is very powerful as it combines classic 70s sounds and modern digital technology sounds. WOW! This second track has since then become my all time favorite. Very enjoyable!

This album also offers simple rock music with ambient nuance like third track "Writings on the Wall" (5:26) where you can find a simple guitar solo and very nice and upbeat riffs that produce peaceful sounds. "Into Deep" (6:09) offers another simple form music with great vocals, simple bass lines combined with howling riffs and a bit of classic Hammond sounds with long sustain keys combined with guitar rhythm and riffs. It flows naturally and it's really rewarding. I love it. Who says prog music must be complicated? Nope man . you must enjoy this album! "The Boy in the Attic" (7:13) is a mellow track with catchy piano line; it's far from any notion of prog met music - therefore this band should not be pigeon-holed as prog met.

If you reach track 6 "Two Seconds in Life" (6:28), again, you would be surprised with the stream of music the band is offering! This track is very close in style and performance with Van der Graff Generator music; or if you are familiar with Carptree or Sylvan "Artificial Paradise" or "X-Rayed" album. Yeah, that kind of music. So, how can you it as prog met band? Come on .. "Two Second in Life" is definitely another favorite of mine. I like the heavy voice line and the beauty of composition this track offers. Wonderful! Believe me ..

The remaining tracks "Myron & Cole" (5:53), "As Life Flows By" (4:45) and "Rain" (8:06) are also excellent ones. "Rain" is another track in the vein of Carptree / Sylvan styles with some soft and smooth riffs; it's faraway from prog met style.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable album and I recommend you having this album in your prog music collection. Happy new prog year and . keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW