MY RIVER FLOWS

This is the second album I listen to IZZ after "I Move" (2002) which blew me away after getting past the new wave nuances. "My River Flows" (2005) sounds to me much mature musically compared to "I Move". At least, when I first listened to "I Move" there was a kind of new wave music embodied in the music and with this album I did not experience the same thing. In fact I was amazed by the first track that in a way reminds me to Little Atlas due to the music tries to embrace old days prog with modern music. In fact it's hard for me to identify which groups did really influence IZZ because I can say their music is quite original despite all the influences. As far as I can push it's probably the combination of Rush, Yes and King Crimson. It's quite tough really!

A challenging album!

The album kicks off dynamically with "My River Flows" (5:28) through simple riffs which bring the music in somewhat ambient but with upbeat tempo, accompanying the long distant vocal style. Some musical breaks with guitar and drums remind me to King Crimson "Discipline" combined with inventive keyboard solo in modern style. The song has multi-layered structure with different styles which form a truly cohesive song. It flows wonderfully to next challenging track "Late Night Salvation" (12:16). Oh yeah! This song is much explorative in nature it flows dynamically in an unprecedented fashion. Oh my God! I love the opening part which consists of great guitar, bass guitar work layered by evocative keyboard in relatively fast tempo and it reminds me to progressive metal music. After the complex and heavy intro it flows to a sudden break containing piano to back vocal line. This second track is truly beautifully crafted composition. What surprises me is that this track features great drum solo at approx 6 minute of the music. The drumming work is truly stunning, and also the acoustic guitar rhythms section and pulsating keyboard work.

"Rose Colored Lenses" (3:40) is slower in tempo but it has excellent composition with a bit of jazzy touch and nice piano work. Through this track I recognize how brilliant the bass player. He gives great bass solo segment. "Deception" (7:17) is a thematic song with excellent singing accentuation. The clavinet solo in the middle of the track is really stunning. "Crossfire" (8:33) is a nice mellow track which moves . Observing the keyboard solo, one name that I associate is Rick Wakeman's style.

One track that deserves attention is the epic "Deafening Silence" (21:36) which comprises six movements : i. Realization ii. Lesson From the Heart iii. Deafening Silence iv. Passage of Life v. Sanctuary vi. Illumination. Lumped together, all of the movements result in an epic with solid structural integrity as an excellent epic. The opening instrumental part is really stunning, demonstrating how they are talented. Bass guitar is given a chance as well to provide great solo. His bass playing is in away influenced by Chris Squire. The epic is truly symphonic as there are many long sustain keyboard work which sounds like a mellotron. The vocal is performed collaboratively between female as well as male vocals. There are parts with beautiful segments like what happen at minute 8. This epic is like an adventure for those who love exploration. The guitar solo is really good and I love this track. In some segments of the epic I can see the similarity in style with Magenta. There are similarity with Yes "In To The Lens" (I Am Camera) at approx minute 12:22.

I can only say that by any definition this album is an excellent addition to any progressive music. The composition is tight, the musicians are all competent and the overall album is solid. Recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)