DR. NO

Dr. No is an obscure band from Spain from this decade. They release only one album in 2003 named El bufo de la cort (The jester of the court) at small dutch label Xymphonia records. The band was formed by Enric Pascual who is the main composer of the pieces, lyricist, he playes here at almost all instruments, keyboards, drums, and handle vocals aswell, but has a musical friend Conrad Dube who help him on some parts with bass lines and some backing vocals. The album is to me more towards symphonic prog with traces of neo, with beautiful and lush keybords arrangements and great guitar parts. The album sounds very melodic with only here and there a touch of neo prog, specially the keys and guitars are in this field. Anyway a pleasent album sung is distinct catalan language, very emotional and very mellow in places. The atmosphere of the album is ok, sometimes too naive, usual to my ears combinations, not bad of course, but to vague in contrast with other albums from that period. The voice of Pascual is ok, nothing realy impressive , but good, goes with the music hand in hand. The best pieces are Canco d'esperanca (Song of hope) with excellent keybords arrangements who sounds very happy, very positive, joyfull moments, a mellow pieces where Enric Pascual truly shines No se el teu nom (I don't know your name), brilliant piece and the highlight from here, nice smooth guitar interplay with great keyboard atmosphere, in the background but very effectiv, and the title track a nearly 11 min of symphonic prog, with spacey guitar play not far from Camel and even some Marillion traces are to be found here, good piece. So, over all a good album, a little naive and very shy here and there, but with plesent and enjoyble moments, 3 stars. The cover art remind me of early Marilion, but the music seems to me more close to Eris Pluvia or Camel and only vague resemblence with Marillion.

A spanish neo prog band, that sings in catalonian dialect and with a CD named like that (El Bufo De la Cort means Jester) is something you don´t see every day. It makes you think their most important reference might be the great Marillion of the 80´s. And it is, in a way. The first tracfk is typical Marillion copycat, but the remaining tracks, although still very much influenced by this english band, have a very personal sound.

The core of the band is the duo Enric Pascual ( vocals, drums, keyboards and percussion), also responsible for all the lyrics and most of the music, and Conrad Dubé (bass, keyboards and vocals). They are helped by Pere Mestres (electric guitars) and Jaume Moncusi (keyboards) plus Dani Anguera (guitars on two tracks). The resulting CD is very pleasant symphonic Rock sung in their native language (which sounds very good and give them a distinctive charm). Pascual does not have a very outstanding voice, but it fits well within their ramework. The guy certainly knows how to deliever the songs with passion what lacks in technique.

The guitar parts are excellent, with some very melodic solos and licks (very much in the Steve Rothery vein, and one of the album´s highlights)) and the keyboards are simply wonderful: very tastefully arranged and played. Production is only average, but adequate. There are no fillers, all the tracks are good, with many emotional, poignant moments and some powerful instrumental breaks here and thre. Pascual is quite a talented songwriter, but I believe he is not at his peak yet.

I´m really glad I found this CD and I hope Dr No will release a follow up soon. If you enjoy neo prog, you should not miss this one. A nice surprise!

Rating: something between 3,5 and 4 stars.

What a surprise: a Catalonian (region around famous Spanish city Barcelona) progrock band with a English name on a Dutch label! On the cover you will notice a jester (in Spanish this is the album title 'bufo de la cort'), this reference is not a coincidence because from the very first moment on the music is drenched into the early Marillion sound. Especially the first track "Arlequi" sounds like a Catalonian progrock version of "Market Square Heroes" featuring an up-tempo rhythm and a enthousiastic approach. But Dr. No is more than just another early Marillion sounding group. First the wonderful lush keyboards sound, delivered by three members, featuring lots of keyboards including strings, a grand piano and the Mellotron. Second the very tasteful and refined compositions, from dreamy to compelling and even bluesy (the short Estacion Pirenaica has hints from early Wishbone Ash). Third the splendid, very compelling electric guitarwork (with echoes from Latimer and Rothery) featuring lots of sensitive, often howling soli, EXCELLENT! And four the beautiful vocals in the Catalonian language, a mix of Spanish. French and Portuguese. A WONDERFUL SYMPHONIC ROCK ALBUM

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