STARLESS

The sound does not differ much from the typical Japanese Hard/Symphonic Rock as performed by acts like NOVELA, VIENNA, 90's-period GERARD or MARGE LITCH.It contains ninerather short compositions, where harder riffs blend with over-the-top Japanese vocals and emphatic keyboard parts.Despite their limited length, the majority of these compositions contains plenty of advanced musicinaship with some nice breaks and alternating atmospheres.The keyboards, including both synthesizers and organ parts, are performed with an evident symphonic mood and they are certainly among the album's highlights.The guitar work ranges from instant and catchy melodies to metallic riffing and powerful grooves, which nicely blend together with the epic keyboard sounds.Additionally the vocals of Yoshiko Miyamoto are pretty decent, often with a theatrical twist, and sound far from annoying.The compositions are coherent, played with passion and energy, and the proggy moments are more than expected from the overall Hard Rockin' attitude of the band.

Satisfying mix of virtuosic Hard Rock and keyboard-based Symphonic Rock with a good instrumental balance.If you can stand the unique color of Japanese vocals, ''Silver wings'' has plenty of nice moments to offer to you.Recommended.

There is something to like about the band. They play a high energy mix of pop and prog, with a sound that reminds me of the anime cartoons that come from their native Japan. But that singer. To me, her shrill shouting voice evokes Geddy Lee on the earlier Rush album, before he learned to rein in the harsher aspects of his sound.

But even Minematsu is not all bad. On Nigerarenai Yoru ni Tsukamatte she finally settles down and sings in a coquettish voice, sounding a bit like a lesser Kate Bush. But that's not enough for me to raise the rating.

This is typical borderline case, very melodic, very "late 80s" in sound album, something of a Japan Prog awakening (or rather re-awakening). Of course, I was one of those who voted for their inclusion - there is more in this music and even Starless cannot win against titans of Prog, not even against average Proggers, it deserves its neat little space in the back of our catalogue. There are pieces like Again that brings the album Prog down, pure rock melody up.

3(-), it's up to you guys.