FEAR & ANXIETY

Being a great fan from ELP, I guess it is normal that I also appreciate Ars Nova (there are amazingly a few more Japanese bands that sound like them - ELP I mean). This is not my prefered Ars Nova album but is still quite interesting for die hard fans. Short intro to start the album : "Dark Clouds" and then it really begins. If you do not look at the cover and just listen ... Try to remember what was all about back to 35 years ago (this review is written in November 2006) it is really a trip back to ancient times. "Jihad" is a powerful number with rythm changes and a very good drumming play. Next comes "House of Ben" which starts in a very scary way (someone seems to die - literally - during the intro but do not worry, this part only lasts for 50 sec.!). It is a complex track with several parts, but the link between them is not obvious and to me it sounds more like small pieces put together that really a one & only number. "Prominence" is jazzy and light : not my cup of tea. "Fata Morgana" is the longest track and closes the album. The same feeling prevails here : good musicianship but little great moments. Overall, an album for completionist : 2 stars. They will do a lot better later on.