MERLIN

''Merlin'' was sort of an Art Rock album with strong hints from Psychedelic Rock, Cabaret Music and Symphonic Rock.And while the opening ''Picture song'' has sort of a RENAISSANCE atmosphere led by the Baroque mood created by Wolters' piano and the sensational vocals of Schwab, the rest of the album is not equally strong.It definitely has some nice tracks recalling also EARTH AND FIRE and CAROL OF HARVEST with Schwab's voice sounding a lot like the one of Beate Krause, but it lacks the God-sent talent and consistency of these bands.Most of the tracks have a light symphonic feeling , either being acoustic or electric, created by the delicate piano lines, the lovely synthesizer parts and the elegant flute passages.Other ones recall CAROL OF HARVEST, featuring emphatic piano parts blended with a strong rhythym section and Schwab's dominant yet crystalline voice.The rest are the less interesting ones, which have a more artistic and commercial feeling, sometimes close to Cabaret Music, dominated by fast piano paces, groovy beats and a really cool but incovenient atmosphere compared to the album's more progressive compositions.

An album, which deserves the attention of fans of female-fronted prog bands, especially the ones aforementioned.A satisfying but far from essential mix of Prog, Art Rock and Pop Music.

Here, there are few people playing on this album, but in overal it's very acoustic album. Maybe that's only for good. Yes Keneth is right, we can hear every instrument quite clearly. Yes, I admit that I'm used to listen more "heavy" stuff, but I have some kind of soft spot for this kind of albums (Aragon, welcome home).

Flute is not so prominent (don't expect Focus, not by far), but when it "kicks" in, it only helps. Sadly it's not more used, it would help it by my opinion. It's listenable, it has its moments, but in overal, this "acoustic" feelings brings it down. Not just for me, I suppose that others will feel more or less the same things as we two do. Sadly.

3(-), one noteworthy thing - this record is as old as I am. Happy B-day then.

Every note and indeed every word can be heard, and even the English lyrics are not embarassing. Guitars and keyboards share the spotlight and are complimented by flute, cello and sax. "On the Shore Today" is basically a soft rock song but is so affectionately sung and accompanied by appealingly hammered piano and tuneful guitar that it emerges victorious. Some of the songs show a certain penchant for blues and/or swing, which sometimes works ("Nothing at all" and "Coming Home") and sometimes sounds forced and out of place (title cut). One of the male members takes over vocals from Christine Hasse a few times which also helps vary the proceedings, on "Under Your Wings" and "Just Another Lie".

"Vanish to the Moon" has the hallmarks of a band having fun, which probably explains why it is so pleasant to listen to and manages to stay interesting even without much edge. Then again, maybe it is just magic.