IN SPE

Prog rock (especially symphonic prog rock) is often defined in a very off the cuff manner as a cross-pollination between rock music and classical music. Yet, when we examine the music more closely, it is clear that the rock side nearly always dominates. I can think of only a few Zeuhl albums where this is not true.

And it is not true for In Spe's first album. Which is not to say that there aren't some delightful light rock passages throughout this album, But what we have here is a wonderfully classically influenced album that entertains us with it's restrained classical sensibility. Four and a half stars from me.

The whole first side of the LP is dedicated to Tuur's most ambitious composition, the 20- min. opus Sümfoonia seitsmele esitajale (''Symphony for Seven Performers'').The first part ''Ostium'' is a great piece of Electronic/Symphonic Rock with superb synth layers and melodic guitars dominating, followed by its longest part ''Illuminatio'', an arrangement for piano, synthesizers and flute for most of its part, mixing nicely Cosmic Folk with Electronic and Classical Music.''Mare vitreum'' will close the suite blending both styles.Flute-driven Folk with melodic yet energetic Symphonic Rock based on Sibul's excellent guitar playing and the dreamy synthesizers and organ of Tuur.One amazing piece of diverse contemporary Symphonic/Folk Rock.

The flipside kicks off with ''Antidolorosum'', an obscure piece with a FRIPP-ian guitar intro, good vocals along the way and finally Tuur shining with his floating synths and organ.The long ''Päikesevene'' starts with a flute-based dissonance to become more groovy on the way with some fine Fusion-esque guitars and after the middle it is Tuur's moment.His grandiose synthesizers shine, interplaying with Sibul's guitars in some sort of Electronic/Fusion style.The closing ''Sfaaride voitlus'' is another great cosmic experience.The dreamy opening notes with flutes and synths will burst after the middle to an excellent guitar/keyboard-based battle before closing again in a Cosmic Electronic style.

To say that this man would become a great composer listening to his compositions is today an excess.Possibly the greatest prog release to come out of Estonia and a stunning experience of Symphonic/Folk/Electronic musicianship.Essential and very original- sounding addition for any collection.

This, second album, is recorded by band, led by music student, keyboardist Aloe Mattiisen. Differently from their debut, this work contains similar components, but in much more easier form, often with "musical joke' elements. Real mechanical typewriter is used as drumming instrument, and all other music is melodic symphonic prog ( with some jazzy bass) and neo-classic pieces in 50/50 proportion.

Quite interesting idea and some very competent musicianship is destroyed in part by two reasons: pure producing and recording quality and very bad mixing. In fact, you can imagine whole recording as roughly fixed between each other quite independent pieces of electric guitar/bass based jazz-rock pieces, keyboards-led symphonic rock pieces and some modern classic chamber pieces. Almost without any connection between each other. And with very plain, uninspired total sounding.

So, this album could be evaluated as rehearsal of very interesting, but raw material, demo tape,etc. And possibly ,its better place is avant prog, not symphonic. I own quite rare LP version, so am not sure, if later CD release has any sound improvement.

In whole, album for collectors and researchers, but hardly for symphonic prog regular fans.

In Spe are one of the only (if not the only) symphonic rock band to come out of the tiny country of Estonia, and for that they deserve some attention I suppose. But try as I might I can’t get interested in this album. The poor production doesn’t help, nor does the naggingly persistent typewriter throughout the entire first-half concerto piece. On top of that the featured French horn on the second half of the album did seem like a worthwhile novelty for the first few minutes, but its presence on the interminably long closing track “Departure” borders on being ponderous.

The only reason this record should be considered in the progressive rock category is due to the use of electric guitar, and possibly because of the occasional use of drums. Otherwise I’d say this is nothing more than a curiosity from the mid-eighties, which was a notoriously poor time for music anyway. This album is no exception.

I’d recommend this to fans of really obscure symphonic rock possibly, but beyond that I suspect only Estonians will really find anything to appreciate here. For those reasons I’m going to give the album two stars, but nothing more. ‘Nuff said.

peace

My first listening started very positively - thinking even the possibility of five stars - and turned into a slight disappointment in the last two tracks, but on the second round they too sounded better. As a little minus I'd say many tracks could be shorter without losing anything crucial, as the musical themes are given plenty of time, but it never really comes into a level of boredom so it's not a notable minus. The music is very sophisticated instrumental art rock; flutes and synths have central roles. As the music is never plainly in the rock category, it is difficult to name bands for comparison. Mike Oldfield's Incantations sound a bit similar as the first tracks. With synths like mini moog and Prophet 5, it's at times a cross between 70's Camel and Tangerine Dream. Anyway, its is GOOD music for the mind's eye. I bet you don't often find a great prog album with Estonian vocals! ;)

The three parts "Symphony For Seven Performers" is a piece of art where classical, symphonic and folk music are blended through beautiful melodies. "Antidolorosum" is the only sung track, very good indeed, and the two last instrumental pieces are a little bit darker, even majestic, reminding me the ANGLAGARD's sound... but that Swedish fabulous band realised their first album seven years later!

IN SPE debut is another hidden prog pearl. I would give it 4 and 3/4 stars. Highly recommended.