ONE AMONG THE LIVING

Apparently, the history of the Canadian band Mystery goes back to the 80's. But, it seems, it is only more recently that they have achieved bigger success. This could have something to do with that their vocalist Benoît David also was the vocalist for Yes for a brief time (and recorded Fly From Here with them the year after One Among The Living was released). Or it can be the other way around; that Yes got interested in David because of Mystery's independent success? Or a combination of the two? Regardless, it was surely an amazing career-boost for both David and for Mystery. Benoît David does indeed have a voice similar to that of Yes' Jon Anderson. But even if Yes is one of the band's influences, Mystery is not a Yes-clone.

Even if I wasn't immediately impressed, One Among The Living grew on me over further listens, and I began to enjoy it more and more. The melodic content is strong and the sound is pristine. At first I thought it was too "soft" for my taste, but the song The Falling Man encouraged me to give it further chances. Aspects of this song reminded me of Black Sabbath (one of my all time favourite bands). The closer Sailing On A Wing is more Camel like (another of my all time favourite bands). Guest appearances from Oliver Wakeman, Daryl Stuermer, and John Jowitt might invite comparisons to Yes, Genesis, IQ, and Arena, and the latter two are indeed relevant references, especially IQ.

This album was my first exposure to Mystery, but I have since searched out most of the band's other albums too. The verdict is still out on the other ones as I have only listened through them a few times, but I somehow suspect that One Among The Living will remain the band's best in my eyes.

A very good album!

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