FEAR & ANXIETY

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Japanese all girl band influenced by ELP.It's well done and passes the time well enough.Keiko Kumagai shows her ability on keyboards and is a ably supported by a strong rythym section.The music is all instrumental and original enough to stand up in it's own right.I can't go overboard with praise though as I think the lack of variety and tendancy to ramble can get a bit boring after a while.

Being a great fan from ELP, I guess it is normal that I also appreciate Ars Nova (there are amazingly a few more Japanese bands that sound like them - ELP I mean). This is not my prefered Ars Nova album but is still quite interesting for die hard fans. Short intro to start the album : "Dark Clouds" and then it really begins. If you do not look at the cover and just listen ... Try to remember what was all about back to 35 years ago (this review is written in November 2006) it is really a trip back to ancient times. "Jihad" is a powerful number with rythm changes and a very good drumming play. Next comes "House of Ben" which starts in a very scary way (someone seems to die - literally - during the intro but do not worry, this part only lasts for 50 sec.!). It is a complex track with several parts, but the link between them is not obvious and to me it sounds more like small pieces put together that really a one & only number. "Prominence" is jazzy and light : not my cup of tea. "Fata Morgana" is the longest track and closes the album. The same feeling prevails here : good musicianship but little great moments. Overall, an album for completionist : 2 stars. They will do a lot better later on.

The debut album by Japanese lady trio seemed like an EP, actually, because by the time it was released the industry got used to have album with longer duration than an LP could handle. If it was 1970, I could understand it because at that time Gentle Giant and some other classic bands made albums with such short duration. Anyway, that's what I think. As far as this band's concern, this could be their first test the water attempt with the kind of music that some people reckoned that the influence of ELP was very dominant. I don't think it applies fully in this debut album. Yes, the band comprised of three members but it does not mean they played something like Emerson Lake and Palmer. In some segments, probably yes but not all. I can see the influence of Rick Wakeman as well.

It's basically Keiko Kumagai who wrote and composed the pieces in the album and she dominates the music in this album while Kyoko Kanazawa (bass) and Akiko Takahashi (drums ) provide rhythm section. The album kicks off with an ambient Dark Clouds followed by an upbeat and a bit complex composition [dgiha:d]. The music is quite entertaining and energetic with Keiko deliver her layers of keyboard sounds nicely. Akiko's drumwork is quite dynamic as well. House of Ben is probably the one that has great influence by ELP especially on music style, even though it's less complex than typical ELP music. The keyboard solo is stunning although it sounds simple. The inventive breaks through piano sounds are also something that create pleasant listening.

Prominence delivers more aggressive music in terms of tempo and inventive keyboard work as well as flows and changes in styles. Again, you can find ELP influence, performed in simpler chords and notes. You may compare this with Jurgen Fritz of Triumvirat as well. The concluding track Fata Morgana part 1 and 2 make the album being closed in uplifting mood especially with excellent keyboard solo. The song starts mellow with piano work followed by interesting solo which brings the music in excellent flow. I can see the contribution of Kyoko in providing bass lines throughout the song.

As a debut album, this is a good album by the band in their attempt to gauge the market. It's recommended for those who enjoy keyboard-based progressive music, without vocal. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Ars Nova is often Accussed of being an ELP clone band. Even though Ars Nova´s most significant influence clearly is ELP I think I hear other influences too that help Ars Nova to shape their own sound.

The music is heavily rooted in the seventies symphonic scene, even though it is mostly more modern sounding keyboards being used. UK is abigg influence in the keyboard sound department. The album is instrumental and the themes played by the keybord are mainly classical inspired. Thus the ELP clone rumours.

The musicians are competent and of course, as this is heavily dominated by keyboard, the keyboardist Keiko Kumagai stands out in the soundscape as he is the most spectacular one. The rythm section is also very good though.

I enjoy the album very much even though it´s not the kind of music I will listen to every day. 3 stars from me to Fear & Anxiety.