MADRIGAL

Fantastic obscure US Prog band,formed in 1977 in Spokane by teenagers Kevin Dodson and Dave Cebert.MADRIGAL toured extensively in Northern US and Canada,playing both covers and original compositions,but never had the chance to record an official album.So they reasonably disbanded in early 80's.However they came back in late 80's with only Kevin Dodson from the original members and recorded their debut ''Waiting''.

The sound of the album is an absolute surprise considering the time of its release,strong GENTLE GIANT influences all the way with some lighter KANSAS overtones.The result is so close to another unknown band,TERRACED GARDEN or even ECHOLYN and SPOCK'S BEARD without commercial traces.The vocal department is excellent,no matter the band delivers multi- or mono-vocal harmonies.A variety of keys,piano and synths along with the changing climates and sudden breaks produces the atmosphere only GENTLE GIANT could create.Guitars alternate constantly from acoustic to electric with a bit of banjo on some tracks.Some strings and flute doses make the album even richer.Complexity,atmosphere and melody combine almost perfectly in every track.

It is certainly a crime this band is so overlooked.In late 80's you could find plenty of Jazz Rock albums,some Symphonic or Classic Prog works but definitely not such an eclectic effort.MADRIGAL belong from today among my favorite all-time bands and their debut comes more than highly recommended by my side.

In her second albun of studio "On my Hands" the band North American MADRIGAL, presents a work, that if it is not of the same level of her previous work "Waiting", nevertheless it presents an original plenty sound that mixes influence of bands as YES, GENESIS (era Gabriel), GENTLE GIANT & QUEEN. However in this disk the great difference for her predecessor, is that the way to interlace the different themes or passages that it composes certain music is less complicated , these combinations happen in a more linear way than in "Waiting." I detach in this disk two excellent tracks that are "Shout Out" and the title track "On my Hands" both exceptional ones that and which receive a quotation of 5 stars and making the average with the remaining of my disk myrate is 4 stars!!!

Madrigal "Waiting" is (in my opinion) one of the best prog albuns of the late 80"s, and fairly superior to next albun("On My Hands") from this North-American band. The styke of sound is a mixture of bands of the 70's like, Gentle Giant and Queen (mainly) and pinchs of Yes, Rush and King Crinsom. The GENTLE GIANT influences is present in the alternate of "swinging" pasages and vocal counterpoints. The QUEEN influences are in some theatrical choir vocalizations.( like in the firs track "Siter Happy"). The RUSH influences be especially in more heavy moments and riffs. (like in track 4 "Experience") The KING CRINSOM style is more emphatic in the track 6 "Jericho". ( I listen cleary Fripp guitar moods). The YES influence is present in guitarrist style ( with a strong( Steve Howe influence, in spite of track 6). Another singularitv in the guitarrist style is the use of acoustic guitar mix with the eletric guitar in almost all tracks. I like to detach the fantastic bass & drums combination, which are in many times surprising. My rate is 5 stars !!!

A fine progressive album, Out Of My Hands contains some inventive songwriting and inspired playing. Madriga'sl influences may be undeniably apparrent in their music (Gentle Giant, Yes and Gabriel-era genesis in particular) but there is more than enough individuality in the band's arrangements and fine playing to make this something of an undiscovered gem.

Here is an fine example of the challenges involved in Progland! This US band was totally discouraged upon being ignored in 1990 that they gave up and quit only to return in 96 with a new selection of songs , fusing different influences such as Gentle Giant, Echolyn and the guitar phrasings of a Steve Howe.The melodies are neat and varied , the playing is inspired and punchy, certainly not commercial by any stretch (no selling out here) and loaded with some gorgeous sax and flute passages. The vocals are handled by the drummer with hints of Waters, Gramm and Gabriel. Not an essential addition but it does have its merits. Give it a try and see what it does for you. 3 minstrels