ONE

This review is about giving this album an evaluation song by song, and pointing the qualities of the vocal harmonies. My CD edition is from japanese Belle Antique. It's the only edition I've heard, and I can assure they did a great job. It has four bonus tracks. I'd rather prefer they were excluded, because their recording is awful. I wasn't able to discover the instruments of the string section and the wind instruments. My booklet is in japanese, and the sources I usually consult don't give those informations.

I really enjoy the bands that work hard on vocal harmonies. An elaborate and complex singing turns this aspect in another (or other) instrument(s). This album is a fine example.

On first track, the execution on instruments begins solid, and the use of strings brings a pompous air to its background's composition. Some arrangements of these instruments are particularly splendid, and not just a complement to the harmonies. They're part of its structure, specially of the sounds that constitute its second plan.

On next track the beat slows down a little. Guitar, that previously began and remained sharp most of the time, now makes some rhythmic intertwins, but also delivers some solos. Chords bring some lyricism to the song; without taking off the space for the strength of the percussion and the wind instruments.

The opening of third track is ravishing. The guitar/synth is remarkable. The markings of the cymbals and bass drums are firm and clear. The range of vocals become more penetrating. It's almost a rock song, but the variety of tones, hues, the drum fills and the subtle changes of arrangements give a colorful richness to the composition.

A georgeous and charming tune on acoustic guitar is performed on next track. Singer adopts a more melancholic tone, but without becoming too "candy". He gradually increases the treble with coherence and extent. Chords and wind section once again grants richness to the composition, making it step by step this time. The guitar solo that closes this song is brilliant.

A quite simple tune carries 5th track until the end of its first third. From this point foreward, the execution improves, but not enough to mantain the high level of the disc until now. Anyway, it's also a good audition.

Next track begins with a consistent blend of moog, guitar, drums, and an outstanding bass. A rhythmic guitar, with a guitar solo on its background, gives an elegant dramaticity that duets with the vocals. The chord arrangement on the middle of the song initiates out of context, but briefly it finds itself. Beyond that, they grow up with an immersive pace. It's a pity that this track ends somewhat abruptly.

The diversity of rythyms, pace, combination of arrangements and instrumentation probably makes the 7th track the most inventive and complex of the disc. Amazing.

In compensation, the contiguous track is the most simple of this opus. It even gets somewhat repetitive before it ends. Vocals are nice.

Instrumentation is prosperous and genuinely inspired on last track, mainly on the two first thirds of its extention. Chords, drums, vocals, acoustic guitar are very intense. Sometimes they exchange to a more melancholic, yet pleasent, performance. And it switches with a splendid guitar riff plus criative drumming.

4.2 stars on a total of five.