KALEIDOTHROPE

Ha-ha, the first written review is mine again!

But I won't be wordy on this one. First, this is definitely NOT Psychedelic/Space Rock, so genre's fanheads, beware. And hey, I wanted to say the same for anyone else - listen before buying and stop complaining then :) QUANTUM FANTAY seems to be a Dream Band for every progger: they play like Dream Theater, sound like Jethro Tull, filled with electronic like Ozric Tentacles; they are melodic like Italian Prog, complex like Return to Forever; they have dark like Porcupine Tree and light like Yes. The only problem is that all these elements hardly work together, and the band remains faceless. Just a group of well-skilled musicians, knowing how to play good in the manner of some prominent bands. The only difference between prominent bands and QUANTUM FANTAY is that QF are not prominent. I'm not trying to insult the band, it's just me, my ears and my heart. What my ears have heard, my heart haven't, sorry. Average, though listenable

And if something can describe them, space rock feeling will be it. Music, which is almost transcendental, very light hearted (using of calm sounding synths and prominent use of flute), but sometimes this ever present, electronic background sounds annoying (when you concentrate exactly on it, same as when you're listening rock and try to find bass sound there). So feeling if you'll like it or hate it also depends on how much you can handle this synth riff (sounds like that and bears many similarities), which sometimes takes solo part. And you should also know that it's not normal synth sound, this is modified one to suit space tune. Record is walking on this curvy and thin border between 3 and 4 all the time.

Of course, this is not psychedelic, at least in classic way of this word. This is little bit crazy, space by sound of synths. It bears some traits of krautrock (some, little bit, almost unnoticeable). Expect guitar solos, this is symphonic trait. In fact, synths reminds me Arena (for example Moviedrome ends of solos) and Ayreon.

EDIT: First, when I saw Prog-J's review, I though that it's quite unfair. But then, I realise what he meant by it. And I understood better what he meant when I heard it by myself. Well, 2 stars isn't exactly what I would give, this record deserves little bit more (but just a little), but it's not my style to counterweight rating of others, as I saw to do some on other servers (if your favourite movie has 40% and you like it for 70%, it's pointless to give it 100% just to it have average rating you want). Therefore, my opinion is just for

3(+)

Belgian outfit Quantum Fantay has built up a reputation as a band exploring musical territories prety cloe to Ozric tentacles with their first two efforts. And while the similarities still exist on this third studio effort of theirs, the similarities are less obvious on this venture.

Swirling synths and atmospheric flute soloing is still features found on most efforts, and the space-tinged searching guitar soloing is also evident on many occasions this time around. But the musical foundation on quite a few efforts have more of a distinct hard rock sound to it, and big - at times massive - dramatic synth layers have more of a symphonic and art rock touch than space and psychedelia on many occasions.

Although different in sound and style, the elements used to some extent reminds me of German band Eloy on their Colours album from 1980 - but at least at this point in their career Quantum Fantay are unable to mix these elements to creations that make an impact above the ordinary. At least in the studio.

The best efforts on this album are the ones closest in sound to Ozric Tentacles as I regard it, and there's enough such ventures here to recommend this album to followers of bands pursuing that style too. At least as long as perfection through and through aren't expected.

QF's third studio, album is not a big departure from their first two albums, just as their "Maître? de-pensée" Ozric Tentacles never really changed their soundscapes throughout all their discography. And indeed Fantay seem so infatuated with Ozric that one doubts if they didn't purposely take out an "s" in the second part of their name, because it's rather obsessive. Even in the artwork dept; they manage to be Ozric-ian with this self-made (by bassist Jaro) Easter Island and Vikings artwork.

The quintet (that's the standard prog quartet and a flutist) develops an almost-instrumental rock (only the opening Spirit and Zwar Tysch tracks have vocals ? by guests too), that is very danceable, joyous and ultimately peaceful. Just like OT, QF has some/many programmed beats that give their music a slight robotic feel, but it is nothing shocking either. Despite the joyous nature of their music, I find it a bit sad that by this third album, QF has yet to find its own original soundscapes ans still rely on their almost-unique OT influence. I guess that there is maybe enough space for two in that special niche. Maybe that's Quantum's ultimate Fantasy and they have the chance to live it. All the more to them in that case.

If you look well enough, you'll find this third album coming with a bonus homemade DVD disc of theirs that includes low-resolution homemade film about life on the road in Germany (rather abruptly assembled) of relatively uninteresting tidbits (no naked groped groupies and the "de-rigueur" usual horsing around), a low-res home movie about their home studio (on how to bury the drummer in the basement so you don't hear him) and finally a local Flemish festival (equally low-res film), where, if you still needed proof or confirmation, QF is happy in their OT clone. Well QF does manage to have some success at what they like doing, so all the more power to them.

This is QUANTUM FANTAY's third studio album from 2009 and it plays out in the same style as the previous album "Ugisiunsi" from 2007. Those are the only two albums I own from this band out of Belgium. Again OZRIC TENTACLES came to mind often but I must say I appreciated the depth and the upfront bass on both the opener and the closer but the rest of the album seems to be status quo for the band. A lightweight spacey sound for the most part that just doesn't sit well with me.

As others have mentioned they do try to blend a lot of styles and sounds into each song pretty much and it just isn't executed very well. It doesn't sound right even if that is in part what progressive rock is all about in constantly changing things up. I do appreciate that this band keeps their albums under an hour and even the songs are short compared to most Space Rock bands. This is all over the place though. I do like the guitar to end "Into The Deep" after not enjoying the rest of the song. The soaring guitar leads on the closer is good.

This is a band that has a ton of fans but I'm not one of them.