4

I got turned onto a lot of great bands by Hibou in the early days here, and this is one of them. NO NAME are from Luxembourg and play an emotional style of Neo-Prog. Well emotional to me anyway.That has been one of the main reasons that i've been attracted to this genre.The sound quality is excellent and simply put this is a beautiful album. A step up in my opinion from their "The Secret Garden" album of 11 years earlier.

"The Curse" settles in before a minute with synths and drums leading the way.The guitar comes to the fore quickly then back to the synths as they trade it up for a while.Vocals before 2 minutes.This is great ! Lots of pulsating synths then the atmosphere rolls in at 7 minutes with reserved vocals. It kicks back in around 8 1/2 minutes and it's very uplifting. "Fountains Of Dreams" opens with piano and reserved vocals.The bass joins in prominantly then drums and a full sound before a minute.Moving stuff. A heavier rhythm section arrives after 4 minutes. Excellent track. "Thoughts Pay No Poll" opens with synths and drums then laid back vocals and guitar join in.The tempo picks up before 3 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. Lots of synths here.Vocals are back a minute later.

"A Recollection Of Dreams" is the longest track at almost 17 minutes. I like the sound to start. Reserved vocals after a minute. It's more intense before 2 minutes. Uplifting is the word 5 minutes in followed by an instrumental section. Piano only before 9 1/2 minutes but then it kicks back in quickly. Another calm with piano 12 1/2 minutes in and the vocals return in this pastoral section.Tasteful guitar after 14 minutes. Synths roll in to start "Visions" but it kicks in quickly.Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in. A relaxed guitar solo arrives 5 minutes in and it goes on and on. Nice. Vocals are back after 7 1/2 minutes. "Promises" is piano, synth and vocal led. The vocals stop 3 minutes in as the guitar and drums take over in an emotional section to end it.

A solid 4 stars and a must for Neo-Prog fans.