TALES FROM AN ISLAND - IMPRESSIONS FROM RAPA NUI

Blank Manuskript's debut Tales From An Island - Impressions from Rapa Nui is a personal favorite of mine, I was first drawn to it by the beautiful cover art, but after I listened to it for the first time it just felt right, like many great prog albums it just clicked.

The album frequently changes styles and its mood, from mellow soothing atmosphere to uplifting guitar and wind instruments to dramatic narration and vocals. Voyage, the second song on the album is a great song which changes frequently but very naturally in my opinion. The band manages to keep a clean sound that never makes you feel bloated like many other bands do, The final song, The waiting, suddenly introduce the listener to a piano centered piece with very calming mellow female vocals. I think that the band sound a lot like the early works of Genesis and a bit to Camel, nonetheless, it is very reminiscent in means of sound and atmosphere to 70s symphonic prog.

I would recommend this album to any symphonic prog lover, it is definitely a hidden gem, and an accessible one at that, with memorable songs and great musicianship.