WORLD THROUGH MY EYES

The long anticipated release from Germany's leading prog band is consecration. "God has Failed" , their first album was a landmark event, the follow up"Trying to KissThe Sun" a notch below ,in my opinion, both heavily seasoned with obvious Floyd influences (they grew upas a Floyd cover band). I was a tad ambivalent about getting overtly impatient with the news that a third disc was in the making: which way will they turn, another "good" album or a recording that will kick ass? The first impression emanating from the opening notes is of a much more modern approach, with new drummer Manni Mueller supplying a more alternative rythmn pallette and secondly, the Floydian influences have now mutated into a different musical vision alltogether. Punchier arrangements, moodier attitude, less dreamy and more concise, this set of songs are bluesier concoctions with a vast variety of new impressions: the title track is a 10 minute extravaganza that recaps all the positive qualities of this combo, then a stunning cover of "Sea Creature" , Steve Hillage's opening cut on the classic "Green" album, then former and final Genesis singer Ray Wilson's vocal participation on "Roses"and finally, some heavy Hindu influences with swirling sitars and tablas ablaze, a heady added wink at the obvious Beatles influences that permeate this CD. The musicianship is impeccable, the production and the sound is arguably some of the finest ever recorded thus far, crisp, clean yet never sterile or antiseptic, a fond reminder of Alan Parsons work with Dark Side. I was expecting a good set of simple "neo" songs but to the contrary, our ears are bathing in sweltering passion, assailed from unpredictable angles, well thought out pieces that stand on their own. No weak cuts here, arguably one of the best records of 2005 , barely 3 months in! The only personal negative I have is with the packaging that is a tad too psychedelic for my taste and does not reflect the heady music inside. I guess that I do not perceive prog in yellow and vermillion tones (I am quieter now!) . I do not see it in black or white either but a more "adventurous" cover would of done the trick. Regardless, this is a deadly opus that will stand the test of time, having too many good things going for it. I suggest you try out their"world through my eyes" and see for your own what the fuss is all about. 4 Yogi bears