FRAGMENTS OF LIGHT

I can't say that this band has thrilled me so far. Their first two albums were almost all instrumental and little emotion was felt while listening to these. For this third album, there is a female vocalist who adds a bit of texture, but she is too theatrical or opera-oriented to my taste.

The long opening song (over twelve minutes) is a kaleidoscope of their music: jazz-oriented à la Crimson, some fine fluting and sweet (but short) mellotron parts are the ingredients. The world of "Trespass" is here as well as some Tull sounds are noticeable. As you can read, innovation is next door. But the music is pleasant though.

What comes next is less interesting: some jazzy cacophony ("Identified Legal"), decent Spanish acoustic guitar moments ("El Quimerista I"). I don't feel any passion either for the spoken words that introduce "Memoria". This is all flat and useless. A pity since some very fine fluting and sweet piano are making the core of this song afterwards.

The same loose feeling prevails during the long "Fuego". Skill, precision and even some emotion at times (thanks to the fine fluting as far as I am concerned). But globally nothing from the other world.

The complex and intriguing "El Quimerista II" has nothing to do with "Part I". It is fully Crimsonesque, weird but engaging. One of my favourite moment from this album (together with the opening act).

The rest of this album is pretty average. "Trozos De Luz" being the most appealing one. But all in all this album is not an interesting experience. At least as far as I am concerned. Some brief good parts aren't enough to make a good album.

Two stars.