DISCORDANT DREAMS

Liz Clayden's stint with Touchstone wouldn't last more than two years.When the band was heading for a new, this time full-length album, after receiving some warm critics, Kim Seviour was decided to be her replacement.She joined the band less than two months prior to entering the studio, so her contribution to the album was not really significant.Same goes for the drummer's place, Simon Cook was replaced by Alasdair Melville.With prog veteran John Mitchel contributing a guitar solo on "Dignity", ''Discordant dreams'' came out independently in 2007.

The music had turned from an artistic Heavy Prog with stylistical variety to a more focused and strongly British-flavored Heavy/Neo Prog, Rob Cottingham & co. surface as a unique unit with a great composing talent and the new album is characterized by its pounding grooves, expressive and clean vocals to go along with superb songwriting and a crystalline production.The material in here reminds me a lot of IOEARTH, FREQUENCY DRIFT and JADIS with bits from the music of SATELLITE, fantastic tracks with the occasional organ and the standard synth waves, offering dramatic, emotional or powerful tunes, mostly covered by dynamic guitar moves and a good bunch of changing climates.Touchstone came up with series of beautiful tracks, the vocal parts are memorable and well-arranged and the instrumental content is largely groovy with many twists and turns.Very modern-sounding with atmospheric passages, lyrical depth and bombastic orchestrations.Some tracks are fairly rooted in the classic Neo Prog tradition with dark and romantic mood changes and alternating soundlevels, going from melodious themes to heavy musicianship.Whatever this style is, the group managed to deliver impressive and passionate performances all the way.

Lovely attempt on the heavier side of Prog/Art Rock, being British they also decided to throw in these charming Neo Prog values.Great work to say the least and highly recommended.