TOP LEFT CORNER

Second and last album ''Nowhere'' by Top Left Corner comes within a two-year period following the release of ''Mystery book''.Music Is Intelligence, a label always by the side of the heavier bands of Prog Rock, was again the promotional home of the Italians' sophomore effort.

The album shows Top Left Corner becoming a bit more risky compared to their debut.Do not expect something very complex or imaginative, it is just the fact that their music became more carefully structured with emphasis on discreet breaks and offering plenty of connections between different themes.The overall path is still the heavier side of Neo Prog, delivered with an epic sound, featuring lots of atmospheric synthesizers and propulsive riffs next to the good guitar melodies and solos.Vocals are once more delivered in a high-pitch mode, showcasing links even with Prog Metal bands, but the intense lead guitars, the energetic grooves and the alternations between impressive rhythmic tones and elaborate melodies are certain ingredients of the Neo Prog scene.The sound is very close to compatriots MARATHON and Germans INES by that point, creating heavy, atmospheric music with a deep, lyrical content.They can even get extremely dramatic in almost gothic enviroments here and there, but the constant use of synthesizers instead of analog keyboards link Top Left Corner as one the typical examples of 90's Heavy/Neo Prog.

It appears that the band dissolved soon after the release of ''Nowhere''.Guitarist Sergio Ghiotto had a brief involvement with Italian Neo Prog veterans Asgard, with whom he recorded the 2000 ''Drachenblut'' album.

One of the countless entries ofn the Neo Prog discography of the 90's.This is pretty cool, epic Neo Prog with heavier overtones, well-executed and recommended to all fans of the style.

If these guys were from Canada we know "top left corner" would be refering to hockey, but being from Italy it's got to be soccer right ? I reviewed the follow-up to this album some 4 1/2 years ago on here and it looks like they called it quits after that. Not a lot of difference between the two albums, both have an 80's vibe I think mostly because of the vocalists' style and deep voice.This is fairly straight forward music to be honest that can get a little heavy at times.

"Mystery Book" opens with an explosion then the music kicks in.Vocals after a minute. A guitar solo 3 minutes in. "Wonder Why" opens with acapella vocals then the music takes over. Harmonies come and go once in a while. I like the guitar after 3 minutes when the vocals stop. "The Long Run" has a good heavy sound before a minute.The tempo picks up as the vocals join in. It's okay. "Tears" opens with a gong then keyboards and guitar take over.Vocals and a full sound 1 1/2 minutes in. It turns instrumental and we get some guitar after 5 minutes.Vocals are back after 7 minutes. A calm a minute later. It picks back up after 9 minutes. "The Advice" opens with atmosphere as reserved vocals join in. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. A calm after 4 minutes with reserved vocals then it kicks back in late to end it.

"Ten Years" has some great sounding guitar as it solos until before 3 minutes when the vocals come in. Guitar is back to the fore after 5 minutes then the vocals return again. "Lonely Hunter" opens with synths and piano as these laid back vocals come in. Drums and a fuller sound follows. "Time Has Gone" starts out with bass and synths as drums then guitar join in.Vocals a minute in. "The Tower" has this prominant beat with vocals.The guitar leads before 4 minutes. "Last Wave" is haunting with synths to start. Relaxed vocals before 1 1/2 minutes then it kicks in after 2 minutes.Water sounds end it.

Barely 3 stars but for the Prog fan there's not a lot to enjoy here.

I'm afraid this one is a little too cheesy for me. "Mistery Book" is a competent but somewhat juvenile hard rock album with the Dungeons and Dragons feel. The players are quite professional and it's good clean fun rock and roll but just not something that makes the shelf for me. I suppose I would describe their music as taking one of Ronnie James Dio's albums and having a lesser known band perform the material with a more pop style than metal. That might give you an idea of the sound, predictable drumming, rather cheesy keyboards sound, catchy singalong choruses, lots of power chords. The one bright spot for me was the guitarist who in the midst of music that doesn't interest me, was able to peel off some really nicely done leads.

I can't quite get myself to 3 stars on this one but give it a shot if you like pop-metal stuff with Tolkien-ish vibes. They give JRR a special thanks so he must have been an inspiration here. It may also have appeal to fans of more mainstream prog rock artists like Kansas, Journey, Styx, etc. Not sure about the spelling, the site says Mystery, my CD says Mistery.

This is a pretty good Neo Prog album that is fairly heavy. In their liner notes this Italian band thanks GARDEN WALL and STEVE MORSE. The vocalist sings in English and has a deep voice not to unlike Geoff Tate from QUEENSRYCHE. There are some very good guitar melodies and solos throughout this record.

My favourite song is the first song "Dreaming Children", the vocals and guitar all come together to make a special tune. More great guitar in "Nothing to Say" and "Shadows". "The Land Of Silence" is darker and dominated by vocals. "Hot Wind" is almost 80's sounding with some nice harmonies. I like it. I really like the guitar and keyboard melody that keeps reappearing in "Free Choice", it's a faster paced, fun song. Lastly there is some beautiful piano in "Flowing River".

I was surprised how good this was, especially when it was so difficult to find out anything about these guys. 3 stars.