CINDERELLA SEARCH

Classically trained violinist Junko Minobe brings an essential ingredient to the melodic sound dominated by bright keyboards. Mellotron sounds are also used to a small degree. The compositional style could perhaps be compared to latter-day Camel, or Yes at their softest. Most of this eponymous debut album is rather mellow and romantic. Often the vocals are in a relatively central role, giving the music an accessible pop sensitivity. Only a couple of songs out of nine contain tighter prog elements. An interesting thing is that the elegant closing track 'Remember You' found its way to the debut album of the Italian prog band Höstsonaten. If you enjoy melodic, romantic and mellow crossover prog and the sound of violin, this may be a highly positive obscure discovery.

Eight years later Cinderella Search released their second album Stories of Luminous Garden (2001) which is more energetic Neo Prog but without the sensitive charm of the debut. After a longer silence they released The Suite "Next World" (2014), now sadly missing the violin and resulting as pretty unoriginal Neo Prog. I -- and the only other reviewer apps79 -- warmly recommend this debut.

Despite the link with the eponymous song of ''Marillion'' and the use of costumes,recalling ''Genesis'', CINDERELLA SEARCH'es sound has nothing to do with these bands.Their musicianship is much brighter and sensitive, characterized by the trully heavy use of violin,so the appropriate comparisons would be compatriots OUTER LIMITS or even better SAGRADO CORACAO DA TERRA.You won't find much of fiery electric guitars in here either.''Cinderella search'' is based on the magnificent violins of Minobe,the strong synth/organ solos of Nakamura and Masahiro Takeuchi,the solid rhythm section and the ultra-sensitive vocals of Nakamura,making the whole atmosphere quite romantic and emotional.The result is a rather straightforward melodic prog album with classical elements,yet a couple of tracks offer the bombastic sound of the well-known Japanese bands,featuring nice guitar solos and sufficient interplays.

Notice that all lyrics are written in English,while the last (awesome) track ''Remember you'' has been covered by Fabio Zuffanti's HOSTSONATEN on their debut (how did they dig it up???).For fans of soft symphonic/melodic prog this is an absolutely decent album.Personally I enjoyed it quite a bit.Recommended.

An odd choice for a first, but this one intrigued me.

Firstly it's a Japanese Prog rock album, which from all accounts is rather hard to get your paws on.

Secondly, despite being older than the Thames I had never given any Japanese outfit a second look.

Thirdly, the Japanese have always maintained a consistent interest in rock ; Made in Japan, Live at the Budokan for example show what good taste these fine folks have had over the years. Their own - home grown - stuff well......no.

I have to say, I approached this record with a pre-concieved idea of what I was about to hear. I was thinking : wailing Japanese folk instruments and probably a equally annoying female voice (check the cover).

Wrong on both counts.

This is actually a well concieved and not unoriginal piece of work, something like a cross between early period Genesis (without the humour) and would you believe, Pavlov's Dog.

Ah fear not, not the high soprano of that excellent band, but the violin/keyboards interaction. The lead singer clearly models himself on Mr Gabriel at his best, in terms of wearing ludicrous headgear, but his vocal range cannot be compared to the legend. It's mid range, nothing out of the ordinary (think Pendragon ?) and embellished with sweet harmonies.

Not for the Heavy brigade this one, although there are a few rock riffs to enjoy here and there, 'Two Drifters', in particular stands out. Some of the songs border on the cheesey, although performed with verve and confidence. 'Snowfall' will send a lot of Prog diehards running for the hills, with it's rather twee content, and then the Reprise, rather unsurprisingly called 'Snowfall (Reprise)'.

All in all, an extremely pleasant and enjoyable listening experience, and as I said earlier, not one for the heavy metallers among us. Well worth tracking down if you can find it, and if your bag is Genesis/Starcastle/Pavlovs Dog/Kansas then it's worth hunting down.