ROC ET LEGENDES

An unknown prog band from Versailles,Paris, Naos were formed in 1978 playing Progressive Rock in the style of ANGE.They even released a single entitled ''L'Indien'' and were a real live monster in the local area.By late-80's Naos disbanded for good,tired of the circumstances related to prog music.1990 though sees the surprising comeback of the band with their first full-length album ''Roc et legendes'',after they were signed by Baillemont Productions.

Led by Luciane Pagano's dynamic guitar playing, Eric Bonafoux'es synths and Phillip Mottee's voice,Naos have transmitted their old sound to the needs of the age.So ''Roc et legendes'' contains straightfoward commercial Neo Prog,very much guitar-driven with strong grooves and short tracks with very good vocal performance by Mottee,not unlike bands like 80's ANGE,NUANCE or QUADRA.The songs are simple-structured,quite accesible with catchy choruses,sometimes memorable and the production is clear and bright.What however holds the album back is the lack of some adventurous compositions,a couple of cheesy ballads, the plastic synths' and drums' sound and the annoying synth guitar popping out in places.All these elements are certainly a minus for any fan of the Classic Prog era,still the album has some good moments to offer.

The debut of Naos is definitely very far from being essential,as the band has been another victim of the commercial-sounding changes in prog of 80's/early-90's.Nevertheless,if you like your prog experience with accesible songs and a good production and don't mind the sound to be digitalized,you should this album a hit...2.5 stars.