MIMI'S MAGIC MOMENT

This is considered by many of SALEM HILL's fans to be their best record. I still think "Be" is their best album but I haven't heard an average sounding record by these Americans. I did think of SPOCK'S BEARD at times and heck Neal Morse even guests on vocals on one track. Others mention KANSAS so it's no surprise that David Ragsdale guests on violin. He's played on previous SALEM HILL records as well.We get four long tracks over 63 minutes.

"The Joy Gem" is synth led early then vocals arrive a minute in. It turns instrumental and we get some violin before 6 minutes. It settles with piano 8 1/2 minutes in. Fragile vocals a minute later that reminds me of Neal Morse. Okay it is him.Violin is back later. "All Fall Down" opens with synths then strummed guitar, vocals and a beat join in.The tempo picks up before 4 minutes as flute, piano and guitar help out. "Stolen By Guests" opens with violin and a mellow sound. Reserved vocals and piano take over quickly. Not a fan of this. It's much better when the organ, bass and drums take over. A calm follows with laid back piano.Vocals join in.Violin after 7 1/2 minutes then the tempo picks up. It settles with piano before 13 minutes then the vocals are back a minute later. A great vocal performance around 16 minutes. It changes 18 minutes in with a beat, synths and vocals.

"The Future Me" is intricate and uptempo to start. Chunky bass, organ then synths eventually follow. It settles right down with piano, then reserved vocals join in. Nice. Piano before 8 minutes when the vocals stop.The tempo picks up 9 minutes in as synths and drums lead then organ. Solo piano before 11 1/2 minutes before synths and drums return, then vocals 13 minutes in. A calm at 15 minutes then female vocals come in before 16 minutes. Male vocals too. Just a great sound to end the album.

This is as good as advertised. More Symphonic than past albums but they sacrificed the heaviness.