PAN - AN URBAN PASTORAL

Normally I don't start a review with words like that because I love to create some expectations in the readers, I mean you don't really know what I am going to say nor the rating I will bring, but with a title like that, you can imagine that I will speak positively about this extraordinary record, and maybe you can guess my final grade.

Also, if you know my writing style then you know that I like the "song by song" mode, but this time it won't be like that because this album features 19 songs, so describing each one of them would bore the readers, and would take actually a lot of time. So as I said, this album released this year (2010) by American progressive rock band Persephone's Dream features 19 compositions, the majority of them are actually short ones, but there are some five or six longer ones, including the final three.

So now you better put your headphones and sit, because you will have 68 minutes of great, great music, believe me. Now that I mentioned that there are a lot of short songs and some few long ones, I think it is important to say that no matter their length, all of them work together as a whole, as just one body that would not function if any of its parts does not work, what I'm trying to say is that every single part (track) on this album is essential, and helps enjoying the music better.

What you will find here, is a complex, dynamic, dreamy and powerful progressive rock sound, music that will take you to another world (if you allow it) and music that will create on you diverse images, stories and feelings. But well, there is something I would like to mention because it is important, I concur with previous reviewers who said that It takes time to appreciate this album, so please give it at least three listens if you want to receive all its messages and sounds.

The album will tell you a story: "Pan: An Urban Pastoral" so by the title you can imagine a little by what is it about, and what kind of music you will listen. Well, the first moment that caught my attention and made me say wow was the third track entitled "Pan's Labyrinth" which is a seven-minute instrumental song that offers quality, complexity and beauty in all its extent. Then, in "Those Who Remember" and "Sidewalk Soliloquy" you will listen for the first time both, male and female vocals, each one playing a different role, Ashley Peer represents the voice of the Maenads; Jim Waugaman the voice of the Urban Youth; and Dale Mossburg the voice of Pan.

The short instrumental tracks work together as a chain, all of them create different atmospheres that the listener can appreciate, so one can also create his own story and images in his mind. The work of the piano and keyboards is something that caught my attention since the first listens; I believe the different nuances and textures that they give help the music being more enjoyable and lovable to the people who are experiencing it.

Another thing I really like, is that when you think you are listening (by example) the fifth track, you actually are on track seven, I mean as the music runs you are so involved that in moments you don't notice where a track finishes and a brand new one appears, I mean, there are moments where you just listen to the music as a whole, you don't matter if there are 19 tracks on the album, you appreciate it as one.

"The Seduction of Daphnis" is another piece I really liked, because it gathers all the elements that can make you love the album: lyrics, music and all what together create. So I believe it is a pretty strong point of this album. And well, the last three tracks are the longest ones, almost half an hour of great music in only three songs, but the great thing is that there you will LOVE everything, I cannot help but praising this last part of the album, because it really provokes several thing on me, besides enjoying just the music. "Selene Rising" (short) and "The Tears of Selene" (long) comprehend together my favorite part of the album.

But well, please take the time to listen to this gem, buy it , you won't regret. I am really happy with this record, I truly enjoy it every single time I listen to it, and believe me there have been several before writing this review. Though at first I thought about a four-star rating, to be terribly honest what "Pan: An Urban Pastoral" causes on me, is worth rating with five stars.

Enjoy it!

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