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Little Tragedies - Porcelain Pavilion CD (album) cover

PORCELAIN PAVILION

Little Tragedies

 

Symphonic Prog

3.53 | 25 ratings

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felonafan
4 stars This album is the product of activity of more early "incarnation" of "Little Tragedies" (unlike "New Faust" period). Generally speaking, it is a solo-album by leader of the band, Gennady Ilyin released with the name "Little Tragedies" with help of Igor Mikhel (guitars) and Evgeny Shchukin (sound engineering).

There are important differences between this album and music of 2005-2006 period. To a large extent, "Porcelain Pavilion" is "neoclassical", "chamber" music rather than "rock". This album almost does not contain "drive", "grooving" (people who think that Progressive Rock must definitely groove, possibly, should skip this one), unlike, for example, "New Faust". All drums here are programmed and do not play active role. But nevertheless "Porcelain Pavilion" is an example of excellent progressive rock including sophisticated, nice, marvellous, creative and imaginative music.

Style of "Porcelain Pavilion" is unique. There are some similarities with keyboard approach by Emerson, mellow moods and tunes a la Camel and The Flower Kings, and Russian classical music (in the first place, music by Tchaykovsky), but, however, music is original. Perhaps, albums like "New Faust" are more mature, but they are closer to "Prog-Rock Mainstream" and may seem not so original (because, for example, contain to a larger degree Emerson-oriented keyboard-playing).

Music of "Porcelain Pavilion" is meditative and pastoral. As Gennady Ilyin said in one of his interviews, this music is a something like a "hidden liturgy". For me highlights of the album are "Nature", "Poet", "Creativity", "In the Sky", "Fairy Tale". These tracks seem very beautiful, elegant, nice, fragile and marvellous. The only disturbing element is vocals in "The Way" which are too much harsh and straightforward and therefore destroy meditative mood. But it is my personal opinion; in general, this song also contains good melodies, lush keyboard arrangements and other interesting features.

"Porcelain Pavillion" really contains play on analog synths and interesting guitar work. But the main value is concerned with very good compositions which create unique musical world. This album is a must have for listeners appreciating Original Treatment of Progressive Rock rather than conformity with Prog-Rock Mainstream.

felonafan | 4/5 |

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