CONTAGION

Arena is a "grower band". When I heard them for the very first time, I said "oh no, it's another boooring modern neo-progrock like Marillion or IQ". Well, now I know it is not! I tried to listen to "Marbles" from Marillion many times but it has never gotten into me. I don't know why, maybe because it seems very "flat" or cold to me. But after three listenings to "Contagion" I realized that I was completely wrong about Arena. I love this album, it's full of nice melodies, great musicianship and no song on the album is weak. I also got older albums and they are great too, though I think "Contagion" is their best work at the moment. So I agree with John Von Bayer that Arena isn't the same category as most of the new progrock bands like Marillion etc. Arena's music is much more heart-felt, with a wonderful melodical complexity.