PAX ROMANA

My review of their debut two years ago would actually fit quite well to this follower too. Again, the two Matti's share the vocal duties and leave also plenty of music unsung, which is good. Not that they are bad singers (well, maybe not very great either) but in the instrumental sections they can better show what they are able to do. The melodic, atmospheric music can be compared to Gilmour's PINK FLOYD (as I said before) and some Neo-Prog bands such as PENDRAGON. Feelings are often sort of dark or melancholic, but I'm glad to say the music doesn't get heavy or anything like that. In fact, even I almost wish they would have taken more risks and set the music soaring higher in the true Neo-Prog style. Anyway, the material is strong and pleasant all the way except for one bad egg in the basket: 'I'm In a Train' is terribly lousy rhythm'n'bluesy song that keeps repeating the stupid chorus. I wonder why they chose to include it. But it's just one song, not a big deal!

Their both albums clearly get better with further listenings. At this point it's hard to say which one will remain as the better album. It could be this one really. Though there aren't any such tracks that would immediately grab the listener, you can just lie down and let your senses flow with the music. The same in reverse: as a haphazard background listening this is not an album to make much impression. But I'm sure we all prefer the first option, right?

The band info tells that these guys were playing together in the 70's but it took 3 decades to gather in the studio for an album. Better late than never! (BTW, it was recorded in Iisalmi, my former home town in Eastern Finland.) At first I didn't quite like it, but when I listened to it for the second time, I played it again immediately and realized it's great listening. One could say it reminds Gilmour-led Pink Floyd - and as there are some flutes and female background vocals (wish there were more...), one thinks of MOSTLY AUTUMN.

Matti Kervinen (keyb) sings on three tracks and Matti Inkinen (guitars) on other three if I remember right. Some are instrumentals. Kervinen has a pleasant baritone but Inkinen's slightly unusual vocals I disliked at first. He forms his voice like Tom Waits, you know, sort of spitty out-of-breath roughness. But I started to like it, except into one track it doesn't suite so well. Compositions are tasteful and intelligent without stretching very far from accessible melodic rock music into overblown prog trickery. Sometimes it soars beautifully like Camel, and the production is just perfect. Very recommendable album!