RING OF ROSES

Another nice project by the leading figure of the past and current UK neo-prog scene,keyboardist Clive Nolan.Formed at the dawn of the 90's,SHADOWLAND released ''Ring of roses'',featuring experienced guitarist Karl Groom,prog veteran Ian Salmon on bass and Nick Harradence on drums.This is not even a slightly complex album.''Ring of roses'' is a work focusing straight on deep emotions,strong melodies and atmospheric piano and keyboard parts.Nolan handles also the vocals himself and he definitely has a very warm and expressive voice,which fits perfectly to the band's melodic style.What makes this album trully progressive is the alternating atmospheres,going from keyboard/piano grandiosity to vocal-led delicacy along with nice grooves and melodies.I find this work to be efficiently well-arranged and performed and it could be a very nice break between more complex and adventuruous listenings.Among the best neo prog releases of the 90's,''Ring of roses'' certainly deserves some spins by any prog rock follower.