MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

An often forgotten Neo-Prog classic amidst the main classic works of Marillion, IQ, Pendragon or Arena. Jadis was the vehicle for guitarist Gary Chandler's music and it could be considered as 'the melodic and guitar-oriented cousin of IQ'. We have two IQ members Martin Orford on keyboards although he never takes command, he just fills everything up with nice contrasts to the guitar parts and lush atmospheres, and John Jowitt plays his great bass lines but he is also a bit less adventurous than he was in IQ. Finally Stephen Christey's drumming is very solid and proggy (within the accessible nature of the music), only hampered in my opinion by the sound of his drumkit, especially the snare which sounds very late 80's ' 90's. Chandler's guitar playing is dominant in the album, influenced by Hackett, Latimer, Rothery and Oldfield but with more energy, more upbeat, and while his singing is far from great it's not annoying either and some backing vocals help it sounding nicer. Everything here is about melodic, easy-to-listen, energetic but rather clean guitar-driven Neo-Prog. So if you are into dark and highly complex music forget about this album.

The opener Sleepwalk tells much about what we will find in the album. Beautiful melodies combined with proggy arrangements, Chandler's guitars emulating Hackett or Latimer but with more energy and Orford's keys providing perfect counterparts, all supported by a very solid rhythmic section. The follower Hiding In The Corner follows the same pattern, upbeat and energetic but never using high distortion to achieve the energy effect, a sort of sped-up David Gilmour.

G.13 continues the mood, starts with fast tempo but very melodic and not heavy. Nice keyboard counterpoints from Orford and it switches to the very nice slower sections.

Wonderful World is one of the highlights, with great arpeggio's and tapping melodies by Chandler (not the fast, metal style kind of tapping). The title track also stands out, soft Hackett-oriented piece with beautiful clean guitars and Orford's contributions on flute.

The Beginning and the End has a more laid down beat than the first songs, but the tapping guitar solo gives it also a great vibe and the closing section, while short, is very symphonic.

The albums closes with the instrumental Holding Your Breath, nearly 10min long, which captures a bit of everything we have heard in the album but more Prog: clean and positive energy and melody, proggy arrangements with several changes in beat and mood but always keeping a melodic thread.

A very good Neo album for those who seek melody and accessibility rather than darkness or high complexity.