WILLOWGLASS

The eponymous debut release from Andrew Marshall calling his project "Willlowglass" gives one an exciting glimpse into an artist who seems to be able to bridge the beloved prog music of Genesis, Anthony Philips, Camel, and even King Crimson & Nektar in the early-to-mid-1970s.

1. "Peace" (1:26) (3.75/5)

2. "Remembering" (8:34) some sublime, if unpolished music and ear-worm riffs. (17.5/20)

3. "Garden" (8:15) gorgeous Neo Prog in the true 12-string GENESIS format. Incredible melodies and ANTHONY PHILLIPS-like pastoral textures. Easily the best song on the album--the only one on which all cylinders are firing in sync--and, if this were any indication of things to come, a very exciting portent. One of my favorite songs of 2005. (20/20)

4. "Interlude No. 1" (1:36) a very simple STEVE HACKETT-esque classical guitar solo. (4.25/5)

5. "Tower of the King's Daughter" (7:10) slow bouncing electric piano turns 'tron-o-progic with flute and picked acoustic guitars and active, melodic electric bass. Ramped up section in the middle is straight out of a GENESIS playbook. Nice sounds (great sound palette) and melodies, but a little too derivative. Impressive Steve Hackett electric guitar lead in the final third! (12.25/15)

6. "Summer's Lease" (0:18)

7. "Into the Chase" (4:29) good Steve Hackett-like piece, but nothing terribly new here. Nice guitar sounds and melodies that are detracted by simplistic bass lines. (8/10)

8. "A Blinding Light" (6:36) too drawn out with melodies that fail to engage. The formula is beginning to wear on the straight-thru listener. Interesting solo organ (w/ chunky bass) in middle, and exciting Hackett-like solos in the final section. (8.25/10)

9. "Waking the Angels" (5:45) odd rhythm track and 'tron and piano use make this one almost like a real Steve Hackett dud! (7.25/10)

10. "The End" (1:46) Echoplex guitar and bass? Interesting. (4/5)

Total Time 45:55

The highs on this disc are extremely high (e.g., the ends of "A Blinding Light," "Waking the Angels," some sections of "Remembering," and the whole of "Garden"), but the brief interludes ("Peace," "Interlude No. 1," "Into the Chase," and "The End") are a bit too simple while "Into the Chase" and "Tower of the King's Daughter" simply fail to draw one in. Plus there's something just not right about the drumming--as if it is too simple and reserved, just fill. Despite all of my Steve Hackett comparisons, I always think of this album and it's stylistic palette as more akin to a ANTHONY PHILLIPS effort.

B-/3.5 stars; a very nice first effort with some incredible soundscapes. A wonderful preview of things to come. Just look for the much more mature second release, Book of Hours (2008). Still, it's worth a listen--maybe even owning--but, essential or excellent addition? Perhaps not.