NIGHTINGALE EXPRESS

The dutch A LIQUID LANDSCAPE foursome have recorded an excellent debut, to start with. 'Nightingale Express' offers melodic mid-tempo songs and shows real songwriting potential in my opinion. Australian producer Forrester Savell is involved here who also has mixed albums for Karnivool and Helmet. Where the melancholic Wanderer's Log trilogy can be neglected more or less this production holds some really splendid grower on the other hand. Starting with June Fifth for example - featuring cool drums the intro is simply brilliant - the psychedelic guitars, Robert van Dam's groovy bass - wow! I've overlooked this gem for a while - but now I can't get enough of it - even though this is a relatively short example.

Next to notice - they have an excellent singer aboard, Fons Herder's voice sounds like a (please forgive me) Ted Leonard and Ian Kenny hybrid. Eh ... 'Curiosity' ... just take the gripping ballad Phases and you hopefully know what I mean ... Not always quite natural - but this time the title song represents the album's highlight absolutely - a prog masterpiece quasi. While clocking more than ten minutes this sums up their qualities due to complexity, variety, sensitivity.

Catchy art rock in the vein of The Dreaming Tree or fellow countrymen Intention, on the heavier excursions though I would mention references to Enchant, Karnivool and Every Other Fate too. As for that mix ...I wouldn't say that they've found a unique niche from a stylistical point of view ... however the songwriting definitely convinces. I recommend to check this album if you like atmospheric prog rock music.