SYMPHINITY

With all due respect to the 2 star (and below) reviews for this album along with its lower rating than the other sebastian-hardie-related (including Mario Millo solo albums), I have to say I'm a bit puzzled by the lower ratings.

Having read the lower ratings, I sort of assumed this was more like the comparing the "invisible touch" Genesis album to the other albums by Genesis.

I was sort of expecting a poppy non-melodic half-arsed album thrown together as a part of a ploy to make money or go commercial. Sort of like "Giant for a day" by Gentle Giant (although I feel that album is not as bad as everyone else seems to make it out to be as there's some enjoyable tunes on that too).

If I had to compare this album with other types of efforts, rather than being really "poppy" or "commercial", I'd have to compare this to the Anderson/Bruford/Wakeman/Howe album. You know.. The album with "Brothers in Arms". Although not on part with the other Yes albums, that was still a pretty decent album.

I'd also have to compare this album to some Flower King efforts (ie, "Back in the world of Adventures" or things like that).

This album to my ears is in the same vein. Lots of tasty arrangements here with keyboards, guitars and nice vocals of Millo. The music here switches from classical inspired (to the excellent open piano section) on piano and later on in the album, you're treated to a nice accoustical passage by Millo.

For me, all the songs are good. "Horsemen to Symphinity", etc.. To my ears, I really like "Glad to be alive". A very catchy unforgettable melody.

This album is definitely prog with occassional pop leanings. But good pop to say. More prog.

Another thing I notice about this album and the Sebastian Hardie/Millo solo efforts is that they tend to all have an upbeat/happy feel. Very positive. Not like the negative Paternoster album :-)

This album ended up being way way better than I expected and it will get as much airplay as the other Sebastian Hardie albums. I'm puzzled by the lower ratings for this album but I respect those reviews. To me, I'm glad I have this album and it's perfect for those days when I need a "positive lift". "Glad to be alive" may be one of the most upbeat prog songs I ever heard. Makes me feel great after giving that one a spin.

FYI, the solo album "Epic III" by Mario Millo is a MUST for anyone who likes Sebastian Harde's "Four Moments" album.

Anyhow, SYMPHINITY gets a full thumbs up from the rock I just crawled out of.