OUT OF THE BARNYARD

Very interesting album that deserves a great deal of attention here. The music is a kind of a mash up including strong strains of ELP, Kansas, Gentle Giant, Symphony X - the thing is that it works, man does it work. My ears pricked up right at the beginning of the album and they stood to attention throughout the entire 44 minute duration.

"Recreation" - Starts off softly. I'm reminded of Styx in sections of the track when it warms up and then of Uriah Heep as well in parts. It's all threaded together in a very interesting way,

"Incident at Pembroke" is an instrumental with a Celtic feel to it - very nice - brilliant percussion work - I'm reminded of Blackmore's Night a little without the syrupy vocals and on steroids.

"The Meaning of Dreams" - very ELP sounding track to start that encroaches on almost metal territory halfway through. The Hammond organ is brilliant in this.

"Barque at the Lune" - A strange, instrumental, version of "Bark at the Moon" (Ozzie Osbourne)? Interesting track that starts off with a classical piano sound until it becomes a parody of metal (if that makes any sense). These guys know how to play their instruments - very impressive.

"Darkest of Forms" - Keyboard spacey opening followed by some very nice lead guitar work. Spoken lyrics lead into a strong reminder of Symphony X in creative mood. The drums on this, again, are impressive.

"Presumido"- Acoustic (classical) guitar start, leading into metal territory. Interesting blend of middle eastern music with a Spanish flavour later on in the mix.

"The Claustrophobia of Time" - Farmyard sounds to start. I can't begin to describe the sound of this. ELP meets Gentle Giant meets Frank Zappa meets Kansas. It's a sound clash but it works.

A very interesting album and I enjoy it for throwing something new at me. It's complex and it's full on progressive heaven. These guys did not come in out of the cold and just release this as a début act new to the game as it is clearly apparent that they know exactly what they're doing musically. I'm kind of wondering who the members really are. I personally can't pin a musical genre onto this as it is all over the place but in such a way as to be very interesting - it works. Regarding the rating, for me this is easily worth 4 stars.