SUMMER IN EDEN

Once in a while i'll come across an album that I feel is special only to discover that it's disliked by almost everyone else. This is one of those albums. I can appreciate the complaints that it's too moody, melancholic and samey, but it's those things that draw me in. Man the atmosphere is incredible. It sort of reminds me of MARILLION's "Seasons End" and early THE CHURCH for some reason. The title, album cover and lyrics all appeal to me as I live in a beach resort town. Man I can put the headphones on and in the cold and darkness of the Winter just drift away in thought to the Summer and the beach with the waves washing in and seagulls making their noise. Bottom line is that this record moves me and i'm glad it keeps the same sad mood throughout.

"Flames Of Life" opens with mellotron-like sounds before this beat comes in followed by vocals and gentle guitar. Organ 1 1/2 minutes in. Just a gorgeous track. Keyboards before 2 1/2 minutes. "Eden" opens with the birds singing as synths wash in. Vocals after a minute. A beautiful sound before 4 minutes with vocals and mellotron-like sounds. Emotional stuff. Organ after 6 minutes. "Black Hole" features gentle guitar and mellotron as reserved vocals come in. It's dreamy as sounds echo. Synths before 3 minutes. It picks up some 5 minutes in. "Aerosols" opens with strummed guitar,picked banjo and cymbals standing out. Vocals join in and mellotron follows. Such a feel good song. Gulp. Piano and bass after 3 minutes. "One Last Breath" opens with guitar,a light beat and synths reminding me of THE CHURCH. Vocals are reserved bringing Hogarth to mind. Great tune that has such a MARILLION vibe to it.

"Inferno" has this beat with synths and vocals. It gets fuller as contrasts continue. Nice guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. I have to admit at this point i'm shocked that this album isn't held in higher esteem. All about taste I guess. "Sorry For The Codaine" opens with what sounds like strings as strummed guitar then vocals join in. It's fuller after 2 minutes then it settles with intricate guitar. Not for long though as mellotron and a guitar solo end it. "Holy Ground" opens with moog-like sounds as strummed guitar and bass join in. Vocals before a minute. Simply gorgeous 2 minutes in. Emotional is the word. It turns more powerful with heavy drums and guitar. Lots of atmosphere to end it. "Cathedral" opens with gentle guitar, synths and vocals. Lots of atmosphere. It's fuller a minute in as contrasts continue.

This is what Summer in Eden sounds like. This is what it sounds like walking on the beach where I live.