INNERLANDS

A valuable album by this canadian band with a cornucopia of ideas telling the story about a mysterious book which changes the protagonist's mode of thinking. Concertante - something like a rock musical with a seventy minute permanent suite divided in several parts. Bombast with Queen leanings here and Kansas attributes there. Beguiling flute and violin, piano interludes and symphonic keyboards, hard riffing guitars, nice melodies and polyphonic vocals.

Quite complex arrangements are the trademark - rocking, funky, balladesque ... they must have spent a long time to work out this one for sure. Only to remark some of the songs - the impulsive Confusion appears in a neo prog habit followed by the art rock ballad Wise Man and the fluffy The rain comes. A happy flavour dominates Rainbow Elves with some funfair organ whereas Legend Lives surprises with Dream Theater alike moments.

'Innerlands' is a colourful symphonic effort with AOR transitions which is recommendable in any case - 4 stars are well deserved.