THE OPENING

4.5 stars. Did not see this one coming. Although the first clue should have been when this band gets compared to PORCUPINE TREE, ANATHEMA, RIVERSIDE and PAIN OF SALVATION over and over from different reviewers around the Web. CLOVER SEEDS are from France and they play a dark, heavy and atmospheric brand of music. It's like this album was custom made for me really.The cover art is actually a photo of a real sculpture and suits the music well. EVERON's Christian Moschius mixed this record by the way. I'm not sure why this in the Crossover genre though unless they're basing that on their debut which I haven't heard.This is defintely an Experimental / Post Rock album so check it out Metal fans. Nice to have a new album these days clock in at around 45 minutes.These guys seemed to do everything right.

"Over Camellia" sounds amazing to start with that heavy rumbling intro before the vocals join in.The instrumental section starting after 2 minutes to after 3 minutes is a highlight as well. A top 4 track. "Familiar" is dark with a beat as reserved vocals join in. It's heavier after 1 1/2 minutes. Nice.This is incredible and the vocals become quite passionate. "Flowers" is a top 4 track for me.This is more laid back to open with vocals. Love the drumming here with that repetitive guitar line.Vocals become emotional before 3 minutes. Great section. "Higher" kicks in hard right away and vocals help out. Guitar comes to the fore 2 1/2 minutes in to end it. Nice. "Brand New Day" opens with vocals and drums only but it slowly builds. Check out the intensity 3 1/2 minutes in which doesn't break until 5 minutes in. Excellent track.

"Calling Me Down" is a top 4 song as well for me. Check out the drumming before 1 1/2 minutes. He likes to keep busy. Love the mood of this track it's so uplifting. "The Opening" is the final top four track. How good does this sound ! The guitar and drums slowly build and vocals join in at 1 1/2 minutes. Pure emotion for me after 2 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. "For Those..." has some cool sounding guitar, bass and drums early on but the second half of the song is absolutely killer. "Enough" is mellow with reserved vocals to start but there's an underlying depth and darkness to it. It kicks in around 3 minutes and continues this way to the end.

I don't think these guys need to take a backseat to any band, they are for real.They apparently toured with ANATHEMA recently and if they keep putting out albums like this they'll become as well known as the bands they are compared to.