WANDERLUST

How could you imagine when Rush meets Yes, Kansas and King Crimson? Terrible isn't it? But it's not the case with LITTLE ATLAS "Wanderlust". The band has successfully blend the components of prog classic bands into a cohesive whole really makes the music of Little Atlas. For those of you who have not heard the band you might be curious on how the band sounds like. Ok, my suggestion is this: don't even bother of having your mind filled with the impression of early prog band sounds like Rush, Yes, Kansas, King Crimson etc. Just buy this CD - like what I did couple months ago - and spin the CD, enjoy the music, let it infuse into your mind (and hopefully your heart) without any preconceived mind. Then you would get the whole picture of the band's music. I'm sure the album would not disappoint you at all. This is one of the albums that I recently enjoyed. AT first I got the CD from Rizal on "loan" basis - but llater I purchased it myself and I enjoy the music very much.

The album opener "The Ballad of Eddie Wanderlust" (7:37) is truly a good album opener as the music blasts off energetically in relatively fast tempo through a combination of guitar by Roy Strattman and dynamic drumming by Diego Pocovi which accompany the clean vocal of Steve Katsikas. The vocal quality reminds me to the vocalist of Sweden-based A.C.T. It's an excellent album opener that fits my taste. Second track "Higher" (9:40) is performed mellow at first half of the track demonstrating, again, excellent guitar work. Oh yes, the guitar solo at the interlude part is really stunning and very easy to digest. It continues with keyboard solo by Steve Katsikas. Some guitar shows the Hackettian style. The music suddenly turns high right after the interlude part at approx 6th minute with great keyboard (reminds me to Rush' "Tom Sawyer" even though it's not the same). The keyboard sometimes sounds like Rick Wakeman solo with less pulsating chords / notes. This track is really great.

"Weariness Rides" (6:27) starts off in ambient style combining guitar and keyboard work. The guitar fills a bit of King Crimson (Robert Fripp) style even though not that much similar. Through this track I can sense the excellent quality of vocal by Steve Katsikas as well as the great guitar fills of Roy Strattman which sometimes sounds like Steve Howe as well. The combination of guitar and keyboard in the middle of track is really great - performed in relatively fast tempo. Track "The Prisoner" (10:38) starts with rough guitar riffs combined with dynamic drumming followed with rocking vocal. The music then flows in a smooth way with many tempo and style changes throughout its long duration. This track demonstrates obvious bass lines by Rik Bigai.

"Home" (6:44) provides a musical break with some sound effects in mellow style at the intro part followed with melodic music with distant vocal sounds augmented with soft keyboard work. It's probably the only song with ballad style from this album. "On and On" (5:35) intro part reminds me to the intro of EARTH & FIRE's "Gate Into Infinity" even though when the music enters, it changes the style. This is basically a straight forward track in medium tempo rock music. "Mirror of Life" (5:31) opens with soft piano touch which accompanies vocal in mellow style. The music flows in relatively the same style throughout the track. I enjoy the instrumental (interlude) part where guitar and keyboard demonstrate its roles.

It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW