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THE STORM INSIDE

Like Wendy

Neo-Prog


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Like Wendy The Storm Inside  album cover
3.70 | 58 ratings | 13 reviews | 24% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
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Studio Album, released in 1998

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Blue Velvet Skies (5:54)
2. Another Day (10:42)
3. Falling Star (3:18)
4. Birth (10:39)
5. Prince X (5:28)
6. The Storm Inside (12:41)
7. Never Abandon (6:06)
8. Shine On Memory (10:12)

Total Time 65:00

Line-up / Musicians

- Bert Heinen / guitars, vocals, keyboards
- Marien / drums, keyboards

Releases information

LaBraD'or Records #LBD 040003 (April 21, 1998)

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LIKE WENDY The Storm Inside ratings distribution


3.70
(58 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(24%)
24%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(45%)
45%
Good, but non-essential (21%)
21%
Collectors/fans only (10%)
10%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

LIKE WENDY The Storm Inside reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Hibou
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars I always thought the real genius in haute cuisine was not the chef that could concoct a 64-ingredient recipe, but the bloke that discovered the taste of cinnamon goes well with apples. What has this got to do with LIKEWENDY's music? Just about everything. How else can we explain such magical results from so simple a combination : melodious, almost radio-friendly tunes arranged in the most traditional symphonic-prog fashion you can think of. This music is so simple it almost makes composing sound easy.

LIKE WENDY are actually a one-man band, namely BERT HEINEN, a mighty talented artist. "The Storm Inside' is his first album and yet sounds like his 10th. The craftsmanship displayed on it is simply stunning: the poignant, hauntingly beautiful melodies (think a somewhat more laid-back version of IQ), the lavish PENDRAGON-like symphonic arrangements, the ever-present energetic, throbbing ARENA-like passages and finally, the soulful, melancholic vocals so characteristic of Scandinavian bands - all this makes for some highly satisfying listening for anyone into melodic prog. Although many prefer the band's third album "Tales From Moonlit Bay", I find the shorter tracks on "The Storm Inside" more suited to HEINEN's style - as if he managed to say in a single musical phrase what others would need 20 minutes to achieve.

For lack of space, I won't describe the tracks individually and simply say that most start off as slow, relaxing pieces that develop into hard-driving, solid rock numbers. They usually end in a powerful rush of sounds that completely engulf the listener. The kind of stuff that both induces the shivers down your spine and provokes the proverbial 'lump in the throat' all at once. Not overly progressive but a real winner in my books.

Review by Prognut
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars There are not too many things not to like about "Like Wendy" and of course this strong debut album.

I would tend to say that is right there in the middle of Symphonic-Neo. Fantastic guitar and synth solos with a very melodious background, melancholic for times and never too heavy.

Do you like Marillion? Or the work of Clepsydra?...Yes? now, then add a touch of Pendragon (specially Nolan style) and you will have Like Wendy. A much fresh new Neo- Progressive Band....about time!!; I was starting to get tired with the recycled music on this genre...BRAVO!!

This band is the mind-project of one man; Mr. Bert Heinen master to play the guitar as good as the synths, one of the main reasons why I really like this release and futures ones; He really shines on the longer tracks, with overall vocal oriented album but, plenty of long musical passages.

Highly Recommended!!!

Review by ZowieZiggy
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars This is fine music, ladies and gentleman.

If ever you like the emotional vocals from Nick Barrett (from "Pendragon"), or Les Holroyd ("Barclay James Harvest) you will love the ones from Bert Heinen as well (especially during "Another Day", first part).

"Like Wendy" is more a one man's work than the one of a band. Behind "Like Wendy", only Bert Heinen. And a guest musician here and there. At least, the "band" wont' split.

"The Storm Inside" is a very accomplished debut album. It is amazing to see how many good bands are coming out of The Netherlands (and not Holland which is only a province of this country). It is made of catchy music, very accessible and love at first sight thing (if you can stand simple and melodic music).

Barclay James Harvest is just next door during "Falling Star" and "Birth". Same soft and pleasant music, same melodic guitar solo. This album features four ten minutes + songs and at times they sound a bit too long (like the middle part of "Birth" which is not really impressive). But the "BJH" filiation is present during almost each song. There is no real need to depict each of them.

Additional influence during the title track. The middle instrumental section has a VERY close link with "Genesis" ("In The Cage", "Slipperman" from "The Lamb"). It is the best portion of this song clocking at almost thirteen minutes. I have the same feeling again : it could have been cut a bit. Still, the wonderful vocals in the closing section is very emotional.

The last number has also its good "Genesis" and "Pendragon" moments, so if you like those bands, "Like Wendy" might well be appealing to you.

Several little defects on this album but the melodies are so pleasant that these could be easily forgiven. This debut album is a good one. Half symphonic, half neo-prog. Three stars.

Review by erik neuteboom
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars This is a Dutch musical project by multi-instrumentalist Bert Heinen who plays guitar, a wide range of keyboards, drums and he also does the vocals. This album contains eight compositions (between 3 and 13 minutes) that sound pleasant and elaborate with flowing shifting moods, lots of compelling solos, including sensitive, often howling guitar runs and sparkling keyboards,. Don't expect complex or original prog, this is music that will please the many fans of early Marillion, IQ and Pendragon. A big hand for this fellow Dutchman that managed to sound as a band!
Review by tszirmay
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
5 stars "The Storm Inside" is Like Wendy's debut and remains an oft revisited hour long escapade that I generally listen to in the colder Canadian months, as the summer fades into bleak melancholy. Bert Heinen is a multi-instrumentalist who excels on both electric and acoustic guitars, masters various keyboards from synthesizer, piano, organ and mellotron, lays down some supportive bass and leaves the drums and other programming to Marien. He wears his influences clearly with massive doses of early and mid-Genesis, Moody Blues, Tangerine Dream when "C-quenz" synthing and even hints of Roxy Music (in terms of pained vocals and clean Manzanera-toned blitz guitar solos). This is not complex stuff but the constant use of lead guitar takes this into a more symphonic universe, because classic Neo this is not. "Blue Velvet Skies" immediately lays down the style, wrapping textured keys, harpsichord patches swirling with synth waves over a vocal line fueled by fervor and a huge guitar-led melody that implies sympathy towards the Hackett school of sustained notes. "Another Day" is a sad 10 minute + four-part epic that gently evolves from an extended lament with gull shriek guitar, a plaintive voice uttering all the grief of the universe to a second part with an atmospheric synth solo intro that builds into a fanfare like symphony, full of hope and begging for "One More Chance", unleashing a monstrous guitar journey that fades into the night. "Falling Star" is a fragile, quivering and mournful vocal, escorted by twanging 12 string facades laced with lush orchestrations, a striking short ditty that hits deeply. The magnificent "Birth" is another 10 minute adventure, gorged with suavely stretched leads, whistling synths, delicate acoustic work and more of the same impassioned vocalizations that reach, claw and grab your attention, not exactly Pavarotti in terms of technique but fully loaded with genuine angst. "Prince X" is a succinct resumé of what makes Like Wendy tick: a colossal theme loaded with spirit and drenched in melancholia, more ringing arpeggio guitar ornaments and an overt "Abbey Road" theft that can only make you smile in admiration (if you are going to pilfer, then steal the best) and combined with an insane 6 string sortie. The title track is well over a dozen minutes of angry despair, submerged in despondence, until the mood starts to sizzle thanks to a cascading synthesizer solo that would make Banks blush with sheer envy! The lyrical content gets pretty heavy "I never saw the miracle, so sure I'd die, I never saw a broken heart before you cried, through the tears of stolen time". Only another undulating guitar showpiece can lay this one to rest, a truly masterful performance. "Never Abandon" offers strength through calm faith, flute patches keep it all pastoral where a bluesy Gilmourian rip vies with sweetly buzzing synths, and nice unison work to close it off, drums bashing away. The final marathon is an additional 10 minute sucker, "Shine on Memory" focuses on Heinen's very personal and touching poetry. "There never is a future, there always is a past and when the pain runs through, there'll always be a void to pass. The dreams we have gathered before the die is cast remain to be unanswered 'til they drift away at last, Shine on memory, shine on me...", The powerful riffs that accompany these solemn words have the effect of wrenching the most inner pains out of their hiding and providing an immense sense of relief and gratitude for their imminent liberation. That's why sad music is so intense. That is why Like Wendy means so much more to me than just casual "neo-prog". Most of you may/should rate this 4 stars but I must shed FIVE unconsolable tears.
Review by Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Peaceful, melodic, and mellow .

For those who like IQ, Pendragon, Pallas, I think should try this debut album by Dutch neo progressive act comprising two personnel : Bert Heinen (guitars, vocals, keyboards) and Marien (drums, keyboards). With this limited line-up you might have guessed that this must be a studio-band where the musicians are basically playing multi-instruments and rely themselves on recording technology to take care of their compositions. The music Like Wendy has taken is basically taking the mellow side of neo progressive music - which is actually in most cases many bands have taken this roadmap. In my terms, this is the "Chelsea Monday"-like music which can easily be described as: mellow, melodic, simple, no challenge for the drummer, and keyboard-based (or sometimes using howling guitar or Floydian style or Camel-style). This kind of music tends to create a boring atmosphere for me because sometimes I'm not patient enough to wait "when the music is UP?". It's totally different with early Marillion which combines mellow (Chelsea Monday, Jigsaw, She Chameleon) and hard-drive music (Forgotten Sons, Assassing, He Know You Know).

The music of this debut album is relying much on mellow and melodic compositions using vocal, guitar and keyboards as main contributors of the music. In a nutshell, the music of this album is similar with Marillion's Higarth era - in fact the singing style is similar. All tracks are basically song-orientated with heavy reliance on vocal line while keyboard and guitar give textures to the music. There are songs with changing styles and tempo as usual with typical prog music. While enjoying this album, I associate the music with Camel, Marillion Hogarth era, Cast, and Pendragon. For my personal taste, I enjoy the long guitar solo and some keyboard solo. The opening track "Blue Velvet Skies" (5:58) is symphonic in nature and the music is bit upbeat while majority of the songs in this album are actually mellow. The keyboard at background reminds me to Mike Rutherford's "Smallscreep's Day" album. The keyboard work is enjoyable.

"Another Day" (10:45) starts mellow with dragging vocal line ala Steve Hogarth of Marillion. The keyboard work is catchy. At approximately minute 1:40 the keyboard work at background reminds me to Marillion's "The Space". Guitar fills that follow the song are really good. "Falling Star" (3:17) is a mellow track in the vein of Marillion's "Brave" album. "Birth" (10:38) is a beautiful composition with great guitar work, nice melody, great singing style. The keyboard solo is also stunning and uplifting, especially when the two play intertwiningly in the middle of the track. "Prince X" (5:38) is a mellow track with nice soft guitar work, mixed thinly to the music. It's cool.

"The Storm Inside" (12:41) is a good composition from this album, moving from slow part in the beginning and it moves up with stunning keyboard. The music interlude at approx minute 5 exploring guitar and keyboard is stunning especially when it's combined with church organ sound and guitar fills. "Never Abandon" (6:07) has catchy melody, excellent vocal line backed with catchy piano work. "Shine On Memory" (10:19) concludes the album beautifully with melodic vocal line and nice guitar rhythm section / fills, long sustain keyboard work.

Overall, you might find this album has a little variation in style as most of the passages are basically mellow-melodic, relying heavily on vocal and keyboard sounds. This is the kind of music that creates peacefulness especially when you play it at night while doing meditation. I can assure you would enjoy it. Fans of Camel, Pink Floyd, Pallas, Pendragon, Cast, IQ, Marillion (Hogarth) would be satisfied with this album. Overall rating is 3.5 out of 5. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace onearth and mercy mild - GW

Review by apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Under a few words,the story of LIKE WENDY begun at late 80's-early 90's when a bunch of musicians and prog rock lovers at the same time decided to form their own band and gathered in Haarlem,Netherlands to start their first rehearsals.The results,unfortunately,were not encouraging.Among those guys was multi- instrumentalist Bert Heinen.After the short story of this band,Bert decided to purchase a solo career under the name of LIKE WENDY,taken from Laquiendi people in Tolkien's ''Lord of the rings'',maybe the most influential source of inspiration in prog.After recording some demo tapes with his own stuff,Bert sent these tapes to several companies and magazines in order to gain a contract.Finally in June 1998,LIKE WENDY managed to release their first album entitled ''The storm inside'' under Labrad'or Records.

Obviously this is mostly a one-man effort with just a collaboration with a drummer and contains 8 tracks,most of them being re-recordings of the tracks in Bert's older demo tapes,while the rest of them where total new recorded tracks.In this album Bert shows his clear influences from the progressive rock wave of the 80's.Mostly influenced by bands like IQ,early Hogarth-era MARILLION and PENDRAGON,the whole result is very nice and atmospheric,very close to AFTERGLOW's work ''Yggdrasil''.The tracks are equally split in short ones and over 10.min mini-epics.The later are better with progressibe structure,great keyboards ans lot of space for changing moods and tempos.The short tracks are quite good also,but there are almost ballad-like tracks emphasazing on atmosphere and emotional vocals.Surprisingly for a one-man band,the vocals of Bret are very decent.Despite lacking in vocal range,Bret's voice is very atmospheric adding an extra melodic taste in his music and is lying somewhere between Bryan Ferry of ROXY MUSIC and Peter Nichols of IQ.

Although being melodic,this album is IMHO a grower,several listenings will make you appreciate it more and more...My true rating is 3.5 stars making this album one of the most decent efforts I've ever heard by one-man band.Neo prog fans will find this one a beautiful experience!

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars This is a fine debut for the Dutch band LIKE WENDY. It's contains lots of laid back and mellow sections which are contrasted with those fuller passages. I was reminded of MARILLION a lot especially their later more atmospheric albums like "Somewhere Else".

"Blue Velvet Skies" opens with a heart beat as synths roll in then a full sound with guitar. It settles with vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. Contrasts continue. "Another Day" opens with keys and fragile vocals. It picks up and changes 1 1/2 minutes in. It's building but then it settles back. This is good. It picks up again 5 1/2 minutes in as contrasts continue. Nice guitar 10 minutes in. "Falling Star" is laid back with vocals throughout. "Birth" is again mellow with vocals. It kicks in before 3 1/2 minutes but the tempo continues to change a lot. Guitar solo 5 1/2 minutes in. Quite an uptempo section after 9 minutes.

"Prince X" is another MARILLION-like beauty of relaxed vocals and music. It turns BEATLES-like before 3 minutes though. Some nice guitar here. "The Storm Inside" features strummed guitar, synths and reserved vocals. It sounds better after 4 minutes when it picks up. It settles back before 8 minutes. "Never Abandon" opens with piano as fragile vocals join in. It's fuller 1 1/2 minutes in and synths and drums lead after 2 1/2 minutes. The tempo picks up 4 1/2 minutes in. "Shine On Memory" opens with gentle guitar and synths. Reserved vocals before a minute. A change 2 minutes in as vocals stop and the guitar comes in. The tempo picks up after 4 1/2 minutes and vocals return. It settles with piano after 7 minutes then kicks back in a minute later with some good guitar.

For many this is their favourite LIKE WENDY album but for me this down the list a bit. Good album though.

Latest members reviews

5 stars Surprise! Surprise! One of the first things that strike me is the Collage like guitar sound on the first track, while also the use of keyboards and the melody itself also comes close to Collage's "Moonshine" (a 5 star album). The following quiet vocal part however sounds less derivative. The vocals ... (read more)

Report this review (#1295377) | Posted by mbzr48 | Thursday, October 23, 2014 | Review Permanlink

4 stars This one came at me out nowhere. I wasn't ready for what I found, so it was a real treat to find that Like Wendy is a rather delicious treat of neo-progressive that leaves the listener thirsty for more. Most of the time the melodies and instrumentation are rather formulaic, but that's ok since ... (read more)

Report this review (#133972) | Posted by beebs | Monday, August 20, 2007 | Review Permanlink

3 stars It seems LW at first didn´t want to take a false step. They made a nice album with beatiful neo prog melodies and good arengements,but they made theirselves a clone of a mix between classic Marillion and classic Barclay ,James,Harvest. Yes instrumental arrengements and melodies very in the s ... (read more)

Report this review (#127447) | Posted by robbob | Tuesday, July 3, 2007 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Soft highly melodic debut from a great band, well actually it's just a one man band, consisting of Bert Heinen, with aid from a drummer. The music is very much comparable with Clepsydra (Schwiss band) so the style can be very much be compared with neo-prog sound, focussing more on the softer m ... (read more)

Report this review (#94433) | Posted by tuxon | Friday, October 13, 2006 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Dutch bands, how i love them. There seems just one single country that still produces old time Prog Rock. If you like the greats like Marillion (Fish area) and Arena, Grey Lady Down and of course the gigantic Twelfth Night, then you sure can add on Like Wendy. A strange name indeed but a very good s ... (read more)

Report this review (#4414) | Posted by | Wednesday, November 19, 2003 | Review Permanlink

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