THE BOOK OF DREAMS

I find rather strange that "Mangala Vallis" is ranked into the Italian Symphonic" category. Of course they are Italian. But they don't sing in Italian (and for me this is an absolute prerequisite to belong to this genre). And secondly, they are fully Genesis oriented. As much as "The Watch" is concerned for instance.

Almost each song is cloning a "Genesis" one (but when it is done with such brio, I don't complain). So, let's have a close look to those similarities.

"Supper's Ready" is at times present during "Is the End the Beginning" (mainly after the first half of the song). I guess that everybody will admit that the intro for "The Book of Dreams" is fully "Watcher" oriented. If you pay some attention, there is also a serious "I Know What I Like" influence a little later in the song. Vocals being a bit "Neuschanstein" like (but less Gabriel oriented. It's maybe difficult to understand, but that's how I feel). Because, unlike Simone Rossetti, the vocals won't remind you of Peter. Of course, the fact that no less than three different singers are featured on this album won't help in reaching consistency on that level.

"The Journey" features the "Watcher" riff again. And Tony's keys as well (just listen to these wonderful synthesizers). The last part of the song is fantastic. Full of melody and emotional. Beautiful. A highlight. Maybe the most "personal" song of the album.

"Days Of Light" sounds more like a Gabriel early solo work. Good sax work is to be noticed as well. Just as the very pleasant background keys. The short instrumental track "Under The Sea" is of course reminiscent of "Dance On A Vulcano" (another instrumental of course).

If you feel like listening to "Afterglow", I can only advise you to do so with "Asha". Same melancholic mood to start, it will evolve to a more poppish style (hi Phil).

What about some "Cinema Show" ? Not on the vocals side of the song since the ex-PFM singer has the lead here. Just the music in the intro. "A New Century" will finally get more symphonic. A real good song to close this very good album.

As you have read, this album is not really a personal one. Still, I like it very much. A good option when you would like to listen to a "Genesis"-oriented album without playing for the six hundredth times "Foxtrot", "Selling", Nursery", "Trespass" or "The Lamb". Did you get the idea ?

If this album has anything to do with Italian symphonic music, I may be damned. Let's be serious, this one is fully neo-prog. And a very good one.

Four stars.