IOEARTH

This band (of two people with helpers) leaves me rather puzzled. In a rare admission, I have to state that I just can not fathom their motives. This work is unlikely to have been intended for commercial success and in that sense it fits the Prog category - if only just.

Miriads of different influences are compressed into a melancholic, self-indulgent output that (thankfully) doesn't turn into a full on depression - but rarely far from it. Music like this I normally run from as fast as I can, yet with repeated listening it may grow on me marginally over time, time I"d rather assign to tried and tested, truly pleasing works. ("Bitches Brew" by Miles Davis was extremely challenging, but was worth the effort. This piece is not in that league.)

Often it feels like I am listening to Enigma minus the Gothic/Gregorian elements, or Simple Minds minus the beat, or elements of Dead Can Dance - on the side of some cinema music.

Some credible guitar parts emerge randomly, but in-between this piece remains boring, highlighting that one-two man efforts often fall short of the collective input of of four or more in a group.

I would not recommend it to those with limited time to spare.