PLAY AGAIN

3.5 stars. I probably like this one about equally with their debut although there are more highs and lows with this one. Again we get some melancholic and atmospheric music from this French band but this time we get a guest female singer helping out.

The first two tracks are my favourites, I just wished this continued throughout. "Introspection" is dark and atmospheric then it kicks in before a minute. It settles again as contrasts continue. "Tomorrow Birds Will Sing" features gentle guitar with keys (great sound). Bass and reserved vocals follow. A beat before 2 1/2 minutes. It kicks in before 5 minutes. Nice. "Wave On A Soul" is an okay tune I guess. We get some violin and I like the guitar later. "Not Yet" is mid paced with laid back vocals. Female vocals too which i'm not a fan of.

"The Great Northern Hotel" is a song I don't like at all with those theatrical Roine Stolt-like vocals. "Room For Everyone" is interesting as we get this speech that is quite passionate. "Garden Of Delights" builds until it kicks in at 1 1/2 minutes.Then it calms right down when the vocals arrive. "To Pink From Blue" is spacey to start then drums, bass and guitar take over. Vocals after 3 minutes. It's pretty heavy before 7 1/2 minutes. "Square-Circle" opens with piano then acoustic guitar and bass join in. "1 (3Bute) 2" contrasts the mellow and fuller sections. "Happy End" is mostly reserved male vocals and piano with some female vocals. Not a fan.

A good album, but compared to other dark and atmospheric albums I have, this is found wanting.