MANIKIN PARADE

I just don't connect with this album on any level, which is a little surprising since I consider myself a big Prog-Metal fan. I don't like the lyrics and the vocals do little for me either, but mostly i'm just not digging the songs at all. I've tried and tried but no dice. I much prefer the instrumental follow-up "Game On !".

"Estranger" opens with piano and synths then it turns heavier and the guitar starts to solo. Piano and vocals before a minute as it settles back. Double bass drumming 2 minutes in as the song continues to change. "Manikin Parade" has some nice bass to start then keys and drums kick in. Piano only before 1 1/2 minutes then reserved vocals join in. It picks up before 3 minutes and we get some heavy guitar too.Themes are repeated. I like when it settles before 5 minutes. "Christmas Scars" is fairly heavy and we get some growly spoken words then spoken vocals. Not a fan of this one. "Handful Of Dreams" opens with what sounds like strings as reserved vocals join in. Intricate guitar and bass help out. It turns heavy before 3 1/2 minutes before turning mellow a minute later. "Disorder Quotient" is heavy a minute in with keys. "Bricolage Theater" is a short piano piece.

"Paradise For The Lost" sounds good early on with the guitar leading.Vocals before a minute then it settles after 2 1/2 minutes. It kicks back in as the tempo and mood continues to change. "Gabrielle" is ballad-like early then it gets fuller. "Dance Of The Summer Mind" features intricate guitar with bass then drums. A good instrumental. "One Dark Birthday" has almost spoken vocals to open then it picks up 2 minutes in before settling again as contrasts continue. "Etude Of Sorrow" settles with vocals a minute in. It kicks back in before 2 1/2 minutes as contrasts continue. Piano only after 5 minutes. "Halcyon Days" is a short piece with piano and synths as reserved vocals join in. "The Cosmic Bus Stop" opens with keys and reserved vocals. It kicks in before a minute. A calm then percussion arrives.

Barely 3 stars for me, in fact i'm being generous with this rating.