FRAGMENTS

Huh ? Unlike anything I heard so far in this style, because style of singing in first song, Longing Endings - two words, then pause between lyrics line, but instruments stops too. It sounds quite progressive (just try it too), even it's simple idea. Maybe somebody used it already, but 1)not in that way, 2)I haven't heard, or remember it so well, or 3)no one did this in this style. And towards the end of the song, heavier sound is incorporated, before finally returning back. It's beautiful music. Very melodic and symphonic (OK, that doesn't mean Symphony Prog instantly, I know it).

Simply pure beauty.

Second song, Signs is done in heavier style completely, (Heavy Neo, maybe Prog Metal little bit) and rest is switching between these two ways. Of course they're different, it's just my general sorting. Quite big element here is also overpowering sound, strings, guitar, vocals together making "impression".

4(+), refreshing, feeling "brand new", but very melodic. Take caution, those of you who can't handle it well. And it's also so long, but long = more of these good tunes in this case. And with nice surprise in form of Magenta's singer, Christina, she can always please me. These days it looks like that boundaries between Neo and Symphonic are slowly melting away and these two becoming one now.

EDIT: After let's say ten listens, I still am amazed. Only lesser disappointment is second track, but not so bad as it seemed before. But little bit annoyed by certain things

EDIT2: After three weeks of listening, I think that I'm ready to lower the rating.

At times sounding much like another RPWL recording (and that isn't such a bad thing), this work throws occasional curveballs. Some hit the heart of the plate for strikes (i.e. good things) while others are completely out of the strike zone (not good). The collaboration with RPWL's Chris Postl with Magenta's Christine Booth, Pallas' Alan Reed, as well as (gasp!) Alan Parsons' former Project-mate Ian Bairnson yields some very intriguing results.

The CD opener is a 13+ minute long work titled "Longings End", which takes the listener through many changes, some real toe-tapping segues, and the feel of (at most parts) an RPWL melody of different songs. Like the first reviewer said, one of the truly fascinating gimmicks employed in this song is the playing and singing of two notes in the chorus ("Next stop....") with a break in voice and instrumentation before picking up the rest of the lyric and melody.

There's alot to like on this project, and alot of promise for more good things should this collaboration take a second plunge. There are moments that seem awkward and don't really work, but when Postl hits it right, he really lights it up. Definitely a release of interest for fans of RPWL and Magenta. This neo-progressive project will have you going back for more and more, picking up what you might have missed before.

Very bold but laudable undertaking by Mr. Postl. I hope this project continues.

4.25 stars

Parzival's Eye is the name that Chris Postl from RPWL (Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Keyboards) gave to his solo project who released this album in 2009. He was joined by singers Christina Booth (Magenta), Alan Reed (Pallas), as well as guitarist Ian Bairnson from Alan Parsons Project, fellow RPWL'er Yogi Lang on keys, drummer Hannes Weigend and more guitars from Ossi Schaller. The result is an incredibly polished album that contains the fluidity and grace that one would expect from RPWL, along with some wonderful guitar passages and solos that definitely are more into the neo-prog and Steve Hackett arena, but really for me this is all about the quality of the songs and the quality of the guys singing them.

I have been a fan of Alan since his days with Abel Ganz, and have followed him through Pallas and the many projects through the years. He has a wonderfully clear voice, able to hit seemingly any note with ease then provides as additional warmth to the tone. On this album he has a female compatriot who is able to match him and harmonise when the need arises, or take on the lead as she has on so many incredible albums. Chris has managed to bring together a group of players that bring his songs to life, provides them with a vibrancy and passion, and the result is a neo-prog album that is immediate and enjoyable, and just gets better the more I play it. There are times when it crosses into melodic rock, but that isn't a bad thing when an album is as classy as this, and it just goes to show that 4/4 can be used as a valid time signature in prog!

The website hasn't been updated in a number of years, it was a one-off project after all, but it is well worth checking out. www.parzivals-eye.com