ECHOES

This very keyboards-oriented neo-progressive album is VERY pleasant and refreshing to listen. The influences vary between Pendragon, early Genesis, Camel and IQ: even the Genesis of the 80's can be sometimes recognized! The miscellaneous arrangements are VERY well made, given the fact that the music is not really complex: however, the music is NEVER dull & minimalist. The modern keyboards are quite varied and VERY melodic: they sometimes flirt with a very melodic, colorful and catchy New Age style; there is often a judicious mix between modern & vintage keyboards. The electric guitars are omnipresent and help very much the keyboards to produce very melodic, catchy & elaborated textures: those guitars often have a bit the Mike Oldfield's sound. The lead vocals, sometimes approaching the tones of Jean-Jacques Goldman and Gary Chandler (Jadis), are not bad at all. The keyboardist & multi-instrumentalist Robert Reed plays most of the music: as a reminder, he plays the keyboards for the progressive band Magenta; even Magenta's Cristina Murphy sings on "Tomorrow's here today". The lead vocals on "I defy the sun" are AMAZINGLY similar to the singer of Pendragon! All the tracks are at least excellent, except "Jimmy the tank", which is "only" very good. Amateurs of colorful & melodic keyboards, you should not be disappointed.

Rating: 4.5 stars