THE WORLD IS A GAME

I can say that I like (and most of the times love) Mystery's catalog specially everything they've done post 2000's, however I just keep coming back to this album again and again, and I have come to realize why' Nick D'Virgilio and his spectacular drumming! It just adds that extra layer of greatness to all St-P're compositions. A while ago I recommended through this same account the title track in the 'Song of the Day' series, but now I think it's time to talk about the whole masterpiece, The World is a Game.

A Morning Rise opens the album with over a minute of instrumental acoustic guitars and flute lobbying the terroir for the upcoming Pride, the first epic of the album. Immense Neo Prog, immense guitar work (not a surprise there) and immense rhythmic section with an outstanding and masterful D'Virgilio. Great lyrical content and beautiful vocalizing by Beno't David, easy to understand why YES recruited him at some point to replace legend Jon Anderson, his tone is high but very melodic and catchy, hypnotic at times. 11 plus minutes of wonderful guitar riffs and licks, memorable.

Superstar is a slow builder, a cross between space-like prog from acts like Pink Floyd and Camel but with that nostalgic feeling so characteristic of St-P're's music. The opening line clearly depicts the mood - After all this time giving up is such a crime, if you look beyond the lies you'll be amazed, the truth you will find - Sad and hopeful at the same time? I'll let you be the judge! The Unwinding of Time works as an overture for the mouthwatering title track The World is a Game. I just can't get it out of my head! That I write with my recommendation back then, a BBB song I called it, brilliant bright and beautiful, and I feel exactly the same way still. Besides the already praised guitar work, the vocals and the drumming we now find ourselves also immersed in St-P're's piano-guitar inner t'ndem leading the way to an spectacular Neo Prog explosion where drums, bass and drilling guitar soloing collide in hooks so memorable it hurts. - You hold the world in your hand like a child with a ball, do you realize? You point a finger then you say one word and we fall, but who's the winner after all? - I'll move on before a make this review a sequel to the song recommendation.

Dear Someone accompanies the title track building together the most catchy and melodic 13 plus minutes of the album. Definitely radio friendly material and probably considered by many just as a power ballad but to me is much more than that, it was the first song that grabbed me and made me come back for further listens of the album and it does refreshes it a little before it enters its more complex and less bright moments. Musicianship is less virtuoso but flawless. I think the small flute interventions are genius and add an extra layer of beauty.

Time Goes By might be the saddest sounding tune here, but nothing is as it seems and the keyboards and guitars will take that feeling to a dark and inquisitive level. A very good song that becomes greater once the rhythmic section takes over to lead all instruments to the finale. Again, what Nick brings to the table elevates the musicianship of the band (or duo project at this point of time) unquestionably.

Another Day is the closer and clocking slightly under 20mins contains everything one would expect from a Neo Prog act that's evidentially highly influenced by legends as Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Genesis, etc. The guitar sounds like a chainsaw opposing classic piano playing before the track enters an atmospheric weird symphonic moment perfectly interpreted by all musicians. Imposible not to hear/feel a Locomotive Breath unique rendition here in a way only Mystery could do it, combining it with melodic and catchy hooks, product of a genius. Heavy metal in its more pure form intervenes and leads the song back to the initial mood only with an uplifted tempo, and it goes back and forth, back and forth, and then Antoine Fafard who has been unconditionally tied to Nick's playing suddenly emerges with a powerful bass display to enhance the final quarter of the track. Michel St-P're is a magnificent guitar player and very talented song writer, and this album is amazing! THE END