LABORATOR

The debut album from this, an unfamiliar name in the scene. But if I say this is the continuation of Moving Gelatine Plates, this band would not be that unknown after all.

Where in particular the two first Moving Gelatine Plates albums were very innovative and full of spice, the same guys has taken a much more laid back approach on Laborator. The basis is still instrumental prog rock. Fusion and jazz to be more precise. But Laborator is also straying into a lot more rock and muzak territory on this album. Film music, in fact. Film music without any film wrap this music around. So we are back in instrumental prog rock. Sometimes supported with some vocals (on two songs).

The music is performed with guitars, drums, bass and keyboards. Most of the music is very laid back and not that technical. It is not intense either. Maybe the devil is in the detail here, but there are not that many details either. Not interesting details, in fact.

The main problem here is the lack of interesting details and lack of any good tunes. The music is bordering to muzak in places too. It is a half baked fusion/jazz album and a half baked symphonic prog album. It is nowhere in other words. It is a decent effort, but I am not impressed. It pains me to give this low score, but I am here to be honest. Sorry, but this album is not for me.

2 stars

The same thing as previous reviewer mentioned, this is practically soulless music. Over the years of listening Prog (4), I've encountered only few of such albums, those that are great technically, but lack something to put all this commotion to life, to give it breath of life, revive it somehow. But this situation is even worse, Laborator wasn't even especially good technically, more like averagely done (not bad, not good), but when you account the lack of soul, you get potential disaster, as it is the case of this album. MGP was never my favourite one and I had my problems with Jazzier music as well, so this release ? OH well.