DIFFERENT LIGHT

Different Light played a safe Neo Prog with a bunch of striking melodies here and there, recalling bands such as FINAL CONFLICT, ZIFF, TRISTAN PARK and to a lesser extent JADIS and PINK FLOYD.Their music is smooth and easy-going with notable guitar work and extended tracks split in passionate electric passages and more downtempo lyrical moments, but there are also a couple of longer tracks, clocking at over 10 minutes, which find the group at its best.More powerful use of keyboards, accurate guitar solos, pleasant grooves and expressive vocals next to a more apparent symphonicism result to well-crafted compositions with strong songwriting and nice instrumental ideas.All tracks though are good, just not outstanding, with clever melodies, nice breaks and atmospheric, lyrical soundscapes.The dreamy use of keyboads and guitars is often quite remarkable, but the band actually fails not to remind of any of the class acts of the style.

If some true personality won't let you down while listening to an album, then ''All About Yourself'' is definitely a very good work.Following the steps of Neo Prog masters of the 80's, Different Light's first effort has a certain place in a decent collection.Recommended.

With "Il Suono della Luce" Trevor Tabone appears to have assembled a fair representation of the repertoire and history of his band Different Light, and while it doesn't stand out as a production the general art rock audience will want to explore extensively, I'd advise those who enjoy their classic rock just as much as the first wave of neo-progressive artists to lend an ear to this CD. I suspect quite a few who answer to such a description of their musical tastes will find plenty to enjoy on this one.

Different Light's music is about something else. It's the message of optimistic kind that music can be more or less Prog and still being in "human friendly" mode. The kind of music that will please listeners of energy-filled melodic Rock and still be good for Prog fans (Neo Prog would be the closest). There are atmospheric tracks like Unholy Land or A Creature of Habit that especially shine.

4(-), good and solid supporting of band's continuity. Should please most of people, except (as mentioned earlier) hardcore Prog fans, who picks only something. But as good old saying tells us: "you can't satisfy everyone".

What I know is that "All About Yourself" depends on quite mellow (think melodic) arrangements - it's not Marillion-like (it's more like melodic - non keyboard - parts of Not of This World by Pendragon) and relatively long tracks. Songs has another trait in common. They're very powerful in telling you these things they want to tell. To appeal on listener. Even it's nothing harsh and so this story is told in very subtle way.

This music is in Crossover department, because sometimes, "Different Light" is closing to more mainstream appeal, to these "you-know-which" elements, dwelling on this narrow edge of Neo & X-over. Vocals are fine and so are other "instruments" nothing annoying, or extremely weird. What is great is (I foreshadowed it before) song composition. And Familiar Feelings truly is familiar, as this is more or less reprise of first song, This Is Only the Beginning with different words and slight changes in music.

4(+), not only that this is exactly the music I like. Prog fans will find satisfaction in complexity (just close your eyes and listen this music, concentrate on each instrument, how Prog it sounds, feel the entire album, divided into songs, together joined by theme and atmosphere, layers built in each track).

Solid 4 plus. However, beware those who seek Gentle Giant / King Crimson - like music. This is something different.