FATE OF A DREAMER

Yaawwn...man, I fell asleep for how long? Not that the music's boring, but this record could help you meditate or snoozing quietly in the afternoon. Some songs rocks (if we can say that) a bit more, but the whole thing is just jammed-packed with waves of keyboards and the very delicate voice of Van Der Veen.

A cross of Enya, Loreena McKennit, Tori Amos and a tad of Evanescence which means new age atmosphere, celtic-like ballads and woman driven vocals. Her voice is definitely the MAIN instrument of this record, so be prepared to throw away what made Ayreon a brutal melody maker. Very few crunchy chords, many long and marshmallow solos a la Pink Floyd and some beat box rythm, the whole thing wrapped in waves of atmospheric keyboards.

After listening and getting into The Human Equation, this is like a trip to Delaware with a teenage Sarah Mc Laughlan vocal queen and her spikey hair melancolic gothic boyfriend on the back seat. Yep, the ultimate open hearted emotionnal discussion of a lifetime. And expect it, 'cuz the lyrics are written by a 14 year old.

Very relax, professionnal, very good production and the discovery of a great new voice but maybe too mellow for the Ayreon Electric Castle or Human Equation fan.