MISTY MOON

A few weeks ago I reviewed the outstanding new album Stromatolite by this legendary Japanese progrock band, this CD is still my favorite 2007 release, what a comeback after so many years! Here's a review about their first effort entitled Misty Moon, the cover features a small puppet lying besides the belly of a young woman, incredible how many Japanese album covers are in the vein of this subject!

The first composition Prelude is inspired by Carl Off's Carmina Burana (known from The Omen) with classical sounding keyboards (evoking The Enid), cheerful violinplay and the in Japan holy Mellotron. The titletrack contains an intro with wailing violin, followed by a catchy rhythm delivering lots of changing climates (including magnicifent interplay between keyboards and violin). The fluent song Saturated Solution has many synthesizer flights and a bass - and violinsolo. The next track is Subetawa - Kazenoyouni, an alternating composition with many interesting musical ideas with splashes of violin, Mellotron and biting, Fripperish guitar. Unfortunately the vocals are very mediocre. This album ends with the compelling song Spanish Labyrinth: it starts with a flamenco guitar featuring the warm tremolo technique and I love the distinctive Morish atmosphere in this exciting composition.

Great prog from the Far East, highly recommended!