SHATTERED IMAGE

LA TULIPE NOIR are a Neo-Prog band out of Greece. This is a lyrically heavy concept album so thankfully I really like the female vocals. I have to agree with Prog-jester who says that this is probably a 3 star album but he has to give it 4 stars. Me too. I'm a sucker for this genre and a good melody, especially if there is an emotional element to the music like there is here. This album has gotten some bad reviews around the "net" for being too MARILLION-like but she sounds nothing like Fish (haha) and I for one really enjoy this record.

"Image I (A Glimpse On The Mirror)" is the opening instrumental. The album opens and closes with short instrumentals. Keyboards and atmosphere to start as it builds. Drums and guitar suddenly take over before 2 1/2 minutes. Synths join in as well. "Shattered Ego" opens with atmosphere as vocals and piano arrive. Drums after a minute. Some intensity around 2 minutes. It settles back then the tempo picks up. It settles again after 4 1/2 minutes before it turns heavier a minute later with guitar. "In The Gardens Of Eden" is pastoral with reserved vocals to start. It's fuller before 1 1/2 minutes with passionate vocals. It settles again as contrasts continue. "A November's Night" opens with the sound of the wind blowing as keys then vocals arrive.The sound gets fuller. Some nice guitar 2 1/2 minutes in when the vocals stop. Vocals return as it settles back. It picks up and blends into "Image II (Black Star Rising)" which is a short instrumental. Synths join in before a minute.

"Through The Snake's Eyes" is uptempo with keyboards and drums. Vocals before a minute and guitar to follow. Spoken words before 4 minutes then the guitar comes in soloing. Vocals are back a minute later. Piano ends it. "Empty Streets" opens with keyboards and atmosphere as a beat joins in. Vocals follow. It picks up before 2 minutes as bass and drums become more prominant. Guitar after 2 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. Synths follow then the vocals return. "Driving In The Rain" features vocals, keyboards and a beat. It picks up some 3 1/2 minutes in. Guitar comes in late to end it. "The Haze" opens with vocals and atmosphere. Some heavy guitar a minute in comes and goes. It kicks in before 2 1/2 minutes. Nice. Themes are repeated. "A Scent Of Spring" is an uplifting track and vocals are the focus. I like the instrumental section that ends after 3 minutes. Some great lyrics on this one. Narration ends it. "Image III (Looking At The Sunrise)" is the closing instrumental that is led by drums, keyboards and guitar.

Lots of atmosphere and great vocals leaves me unable to give lower than 4 stars.