THE READING ROOM

Dutch concept compilation album with exclusive songs from many interesting prog bands (ARAGON, BRASSÉ, CLIFFHANGER, FINAL CONFLICT, GALAHAD, GALLEON, JACOB'S LADDER, LIKE WENDY, MARYSON, The NIGHT WATCH).

Directed by Marc BRASSÉ, each band was asked to write and record a new song and together, they form a story... a musical adventure around a number of paintings in a room. An interesting visit for all neo prog lovers... BRILLIANT!

When I got this CD as a promo for a Dutch progrock magazine I was stunned by the high level of the progrock bands. It is a concept album with exclusive new songs from: Aragon, Brassé, Cliffhanger (featuring bass player/keyboardist Gijs Koopman who recently played with The Knight Area on Nearfest 2005), Final Conflict, Galahad, Galleon, Jacob's Dream, Like Wendy (an acclaimed musician on Prog Archives), Maryson and The Night Watch (the Italian Genesis). If you want to discover some new interesting progrock, this is a fine opportunity!

M.Brasse from the band BRASSE came up with this concept album and he wrote the narration and did the artwork.The only narration he didn't write was for "The Pleasure House" which Stuart Nicholson from GALAHAD wrote. By the way there are ten different Neo- Prog bands doing these ten different songs. I like the concept and while i'm not big on narration it works here. It's funny because i'm not really into most of these bands but getting just one song from each makes it better. I should mention that GALLEON and LIKE WENDY are two bands I do like a lot.

"The Reading Room" is done by BRASSE. It opens in an epic way before the narration comes in.Vocals 2 1/2 minutes in as keys and drums join in. A fuller sound 4 minutes in. Synths only before 6 1/2 minutes then reserved vocals return as it builds. Mellotron and guitar follow then narration ends it. "The Private Space" is done by GALLEON. It opens with narration then it turns fairly heavy.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. Gotta love the synths then a prolonged piano led section takes over and ends 5 1/2 minutes in as it turns fuller with guitar. Narration ends it. "Silent Land" is done by NIGHT WATCH who would later become THE WATCH. Narration as a laid back sound and vocals comes in. Mellotron too.Vocals stop and it turns spacey with mellotron after 4 1/2 minutes. Nice. It kicks in with power then the vocals return. Narration ends it. "The Last Supper" is done by ARAGAON. Narration continues then fragile vocals and synths take over. I really like the beat as it sounds like early PORCUPINE TREE around 3 minutes. It's heavier 5 1/2 minutes in then the guitar soars. Narration ends it.

"The Empress" is done by LIKE WENDY. It opens with a beat and synths then narration joins in briefly then vocals.Vocals stop and drums and synths dominate around 3 minutes. Piano and vocals 4 1/2 minutes in. Narration ends it. "The Janus" is done by FINAL CONFLICT. Narration eventually comes in then vocals.This is good. Laughter and theatrics comes and goes.This is really good ! Strummed guitar and vocals 5 1/2 minutes in. It's heavy again late. "Aiden" is done by MARYSON.This is led by keyboards and reserved vocals early as it builds. It settles back then kicks in as contrasts continue. Narration ends it. "The Pleasure House" is done by GALAHAD. Narration continues then the music kicks in.The tempo picks up then the narration returns. Unlike the other tracks the narration comes and goes throughout this one. "Searching" is done by JACOB'S LADDER. Narration to start then it turns pastoral with melancholic vocals. Not the best track at all. "Getting The Picture" is a short instrumental conclusion done by CLIFFHANGER.

3.5 stars. A good album and Neo-Prog fans shouldn't hesitate in checking this out.