PI2

And again I notice a step forward in their musical development, even a huge one! The alternating and long opener Welcome To The Circus starts mellow with dreamy piano runs, soaring flute-Mellotron and a bit melancholical vocals (somewhere between Alan Parsons Project and Peter Gabriel solo), halfway there's a flashy synthesizer solo and then cascades of varied guitar solos, from bluesy to jazzrock inspired by the two guitar players and the keyboardist who also plays guitar, what a joy! Next the track L13 that carries us away to Prog Heaven: compelling symphonic rock featuring moving guitar runs (with hints of Andy Latimer and Jan Akkerman) and a strongly build-up synthesizer solo, all supported by lush keyboards, especially a choir-Mellotron-like sound, goose bumps. Then PI2 puts on her 'Camel- coat', like on their previous albums, in Credo: a very warm sound with howling guitar and soaring Hammond organ, followed by a fluent synthesizer solo with propulsive guitar riffs, I love the dynamics! The next composition is The Acid Rain (close to 10 minutes) in which we can enjoy wonderful work on guitar and keyboards. In the following song Bad Guys the atmosphere is more in the vein of progressive pop delivering a catch rhythm guitar but in the end the climate turns into 24-carat symphonic rock with sensitive electric guitar, choir-Mellotron and synthesizer flights. Finally the epic title track (25 minutes) that delivers lots of flowing shifting moods and great moments with strong build-ups and exciting finales with moving guitar solos, sensational synthesizer runs, supported by lush keyboards, again we are in Prog Heaven! Unfortunately after this captivating and compelling final part faded away, it's followed by a hidden track that contains sounds and a long drum solo, what a waste of time, and not really a way to end this beautiful album. But we can use the 'STOP' button before this hidden track starts.

So I would like to end in the style this new PI2 album deserves: recommended to all symphomaniacs and neo- progheads (early Marillion lovers to be more specific), a big hand for Spanish formation PI2, unfortunately it turned out to be their final album.

My rating: 3,5 star.

Along the principles of the previous release, the sophomore work of Pi2 continues in an atmospheric, highly melodic Symphonic Rock vein with great melodious textures, delicate symphonic soundscapes and excellent keyboard passages, sometimes the whole mood reveals a nice folky color.By far the self-titled track is the definite reason to buy the album.A 26-min. progressive opus with both British and Spanish Prog influences and series of intricate moves, lovely interplays and harmonic themes.The flute-driven lines are close to 70's Spanish legends GOTIC, the nice keyboard and organ washes scan the music of GENESIS and MARILLION, while the electric guitars have a certain CAMEL inspiration.The few vocals appearing are all sung in English.Very consistent, easy-flowing and fairly tight piece of majestic Prog music.The four remaining tracks still move on the path of Neo/Symphonic Prog with light Latin touches in the more Fusion parts, highlighted always by Costa's diverse keyboard work, the whole thing reminding of Brazilians TEMPUS FUGIT, but another man who shines during these cuts is guitarist Juanjo Verdu.Very delicate, memorable electric melodies as well as some fine solos appear in every track.Singer Alex Warner will again hold the microphone in the last track, the AOR-friendly ballad ''The end'', where the most obvious influence is PINK FLOYD, as the guitar work becomes quite mellow, extremely melancholic and deeply emotional.

Add another solid album in Pi2's discography.Rich, melodic and challenging Symphonic Rock with respect to the masters and a nice mix of symphonic soundscapes with more Ethnic-rooted aspirations.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

The most striking feature are the guitar parts: always brilliant perfomed, they are creative, melodic, and tasteful. Those terrific solos are the CD´s highlights. The keyboards parts are also excellent with some very good solos too. Alex Warner is a very good singer, able to handle all the different moods and styles that Pi2´s offers in Silent Running. The production is very good and it is very clear that those guys are talented and capable of writing fine tunes. Some parts of this CD are gorgeous and very moving. However, the track´s flow is a bit uneven, making it less enjoyable that it could (and should) have been. The musicanship is top notch. But the mix is still not totally mature, I guess.

In the end I can say that I became very curious to hear P-2´s earlier works. Judging by this Cd only, I can say that their sound is very promising and will please more open minded progheads, specially the ones who like fine melodies. Rating: good (sometimes very good). 3 stars.

The first track "L 10" really surprised me with those soft seventies pop sounds and harmonies. Sure there's some tasteful guitar and good keyboards but the vocals kind of ruin it for me. "The Gift Of Life" is ballad-like although it does get fuller. I don't like it at all though. "Tempesta De Neu" is a short instrumental with lots of keyboards and percussion. It's better. "The Endless Journey" is the over 25 minute epic. I like the mellotron especially and of course with a song of this length it changes a lot. The words are corny and the harmonies make me roll my eyes though. "Tempesta De Neu" is part 2 and another instrumental and the highlight of the album for me. I like the guitar that cries out. "L9" is much like the first track, it's too syrupy and sweet. The vocals drive me to drink.

Sorry but this is one album that comes off sounding too commercial in a bad way. I cringed way too many times here.

"Welcome to the Circus" After a cheering crowd and spoken word, a soft synthesizer and fatherly vocal take over. The singing is warm and heartfelt. The soloing, particularly the dazzling guitar, is fantastic, and exhibits the musicianship well.

"L13" Gentle electric piano, electric guitar, drums, and a delicate synthesizer lead begin the second piece. Both the guitar and keyboards get to open up in a more powerful way, but for the most part, the track retains an easy symphonic feeling. Unfortunately, this one is mostly nothing more than a string of instrumental solos.

"Credo" A distant choir appears, followed by a 1980s King Crimson bit, followed by electric guitar and organ being panned all over. The keyboard work is excellent, while the composition itself is a incoherent but somehow mature.

"The Acid Rain" Delicate tones introduce this remarkable work. I love the deep bass notes under the flute sound, with clean electric guitar accompanying. The music soon launches into foundation for a gritty guitar solo. Thankfully, after a couple of decent instrumentals, the singing returns, which I think adds a well-deserved and much-needed dimension of character to the sound. A highlight of the album, "The Acid Rain" is a delightful and uplifting work.

"Bad Guys" Opening with piano and drums, this has an odd rhythm if a fairly simplistic chord progression. It abruptly turns into a semi-reggae song mired in convention, none of which has anything to do with what came before. Other than an enjoyable chorus, the bulk of the song is uneventful and disjointed (despite a good synthesizer solo).

"Silent Running" Soothing yet somehow urgent piano begins the lengthy title piece. The main melody is very simplistic, yet incredibly memorable, and the band does a good job exploiting its potential. As usual, the vocals are wonderful, and the musicians do a fine job demonstrating their respective abilities, but overall, the piece isn't particularly remarkable, even though it's really enjoyable in many places.

Pi2 is a socalled supergroup from Spain and this is their debut album. The sound is pretty lush, drenched in keyboards as it is. The sound is pretty modern, the musicians are flawless. Camel has been mentioned. Put in Jan Hammer too and some modern jazz bands you find in soundtracks for American TV series.

Herein lays my big gripe about this album. The music here is nice, lush and nice again. Nothing offensive. It is solid background music for ironing, cookery, repairing your computer and planning a summer holiday. Trying to listening hard to this music to find 100 nice words to write about it is a harder task. The music is going nowhere. It is repetetive. It is dull. It is less toothless than a snail. There is in short no contents on this album. Just some plodding on one or more keyboards over some neo-prog like melodies which is not anywhere as good as Camel's output. There are some good pieces now and then. But there is not enough of them to go around. I am sorry, but this is not my cup of tea.

2 stars