AWAKING THE MUSE

Leap Day from the Netherlands is not just another progrock outfit. The band consists of six very experienced musicians, known from other bands like Nice Beaver, Flamborough Head, Trion and King Eider.

When I first listened to their cd 'Awaking The Muse' I was pretty amazed! I expected 'just another neo-prog act' to be honest. Nothing more, nothing less. Plenty of bands these days sound all the same, clones of the greater ones and no face of their own. Leap Day is quite different!

The influences of the great progacts from the past and beyond are clearly there, but Leap Day has its own unique sound. Not because of the instruments they use, not because of the structure of the songs. No, those are familiair. Its because of their songWRITING.

The compostitions have an emphasis on very strong melodies, both vocal and instrumental, which make every song a real treat to listen to! It brings a permanent smile to your face. I can't say this hasn't been done before, for it has. Of course it has. But somehow they make you believe they reïnvented the genre. I think it is because of their way of composing. The booklet tells me there are 4 composing members, but Gert Van Engeleburg (one of the keyboardplayers) seems to do most of the writing. Interesting, because he's one of the bandmembers who isn't known from the acts I mentioned before.

The songs provide the best 55 minutes of music I have heard in a long time. Each song tumbles from one highlight to another. The music crawls under your skin, the melodies keep on running in your head. And thumbs up for Eddie Mulder. He makes his guitar sing in every song. Hackett comes to mind. Yes, he's my guitarhero for sure!

I am overwhelmed. This debut album just keeps on spinning in my player. A real unexpected but pleasant surprise for me. This one will end on top of my list for 2009 for sure.