LYRICS FOR THE LIVING

A tremendous story around this group, formed in Pittsburgh, USA, by Rob Perez (guitars), Rick Mals (drums), Rob Klan (keyboards).Perez have been known Mals in the 80's, both playing in a recording project, but since then they lost touch.He also knew Klan from a jamming band he was playing in around 1991, but it was destined to meet both again by accident many years later in separate cases.Thus, Visual Cliff were born in 1999 and launched their first album in 2003 under the title ''Lyrics for the Living'' on Big Balloon.All programmed samplings are responsibilities of Eric Fuller.

The title of the album is definitely paradox, as ''Lyrics for the Living'' is all instrumental release of Heavy Prog meets Guitar Instrumental Rock meets Fusion.Actually the tracks are quite similar in sound and structure with evident inspirations from the music of RUSH, LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT and OHM.Impressive rhytmic guitar parts are blended with discreet synthesizers, smooth bass lines and powerful drumming to conclude a good amalgam of pleasant instrumental music that still contains multiple breaks and sudden changes.The riffs appear to be trully angular, the rhythm section can get quite complex and technial with a strong jazzy background, while Klan seem to be the unseen hero, as his keyboards add to the overall guitar-led style a welcome color.There is also a fair amount of smoother, jazzier moments, more melodic textures and careful solos to complete the multi-dimensional image of an album that otherwise could be easily misunderstood as monotonous.

Great and energetic instrumental Prog music.Any fan of instrumental Rock, Heavy Rock or Jazz/Fusion will find something of his interest in ''Lyrics for the Living''.Recommended.