THE DREAM

Can ECHO understand Japanese Enka-ish pathos? Or is the Romanian music culture similar to Japanese one?

Eventually I can get ECHO's full album "The Dream", which might be much influenced by lots of 70s British progressive rock artists (especially Pink Floyd ... the roots of their outfit name?) I guess. My first listening to this album notified me that they had great potential, mysterious melancholy, and serious attitude for rock. Sometimes their play swings a bit but it's no problem ... maybe because Laurentiu's voices have closed and plaintive taste with vibratory spice, I'm amazed these matters above mentioned might be Romanian - East European atmosphere? Close to our, Japanese one.

Their pathos can go ahead power-fully from the beginning to the end. Less intonational but heavy and grief sound depth I can feel. The second (and the longest) track "Cradles" have dreamy, psychedelic interludes, as though all players might pray for God quietly and solemnly. "No Place To Hide", my favourite one, can remind me some phrases of "Echoes" ... with some pop, classic rock flavour and their echoic soundview. Over the whole album and songs are megaton kicks by the rhythm section and surrealistic and mysterious voices softening these heavy kicks. Wish they could put more brashly burning passion into the stuffs ... only for me is it slightly tough to feel their passionate personality via ECHO soundscape?

Anyway, a good debut shot I feel ... with progressive eclecticism, and oddly comfortable pathos.

The harsh period for producing sophisticated music and a land of limited opportunities were the main reasons that Bucuresti-based Romanians Echo didn't have the chance of releasing any tapes of their talent in the early years, as the group was around since the 80's.After a long period of silence guitarists Daniel Ionita and Sorin Manolescu, keyboardist Laurentiu Popescu, drummer Catalin Chivu and bassist Petru Macarie gathered again in 2007 and re-recorded some past and present tunes in various studios during 2009.The result of their efforts finally became a self-produced CD, entitled ''The dream'', in 2010.

Echo's style is a fully FLOYD-ian Psychedelic/Art Rock with emphasis on the organic textures and the GLIMOUR-esque acoustic and electric crescendos and solos, coloring their music with emotional vocals and sensitive choirs.A strong 70's flavor is always around, showing the band's love for the golden period of Progressive music.Their compositions are characterized by laid-back organ soundscapes, smooth electric guitars and deep lyricism with decent arrangements full of variations and shifting nuances.However moments of sheer energy are not absent either with many upbeat groovy tunes based on heavier guitar moves and the nervous Hammong organs.Because of some similarities with GREG LAKE's voice and the constant use of Hammond organ, KING CRIMSON and very early E.L.P. in their more poetic songs seem to be a pair of additional influences.There are also a few jazzy hints present in some electric moments with a touch of CAMEL, but the majority of this work recalls mid-70's PINK FLOYD, delivering long psychedelic instrumentals and unique vocal textures, which offer both romantic and angular moments from a highly artistic point view.

It would be a pitty if this group hadn't the chance to record at least one album, because what they play is delivered with honesty and passion, despite the lack of true originality.Essential for all FLOYD fans and warmly recommended overall.