DECADE REFERENCE

Helping the modern Dutch symphonic rock scene being more active and stronger, Salmon were formed in 1997 in Heiloo by singer/keyboardist Jan Jaap Langereis and bassist Sven de Haan.Jan and Sven have been friends since playing together in a progressive cover band and soon they recruited drummer Henk Sonnenberg,who has been also a member of the same band.Through an advertisement they found their guitarist Gerrit Hoogebeen and so the first complete Salmon line-up was a fact.Their first album ''Decade Reference'' was privately pressed in 2001.

The opening double masterpiece ''Prologue/A void'' is a good example of the band's general style:Soft Symphonic Rock with beautiful melodies led by Hoogebeen's guitar and Langereis' piano,sensitive vocals and strong GENESIS/YES hints.Unfortunately the rest of the album in not in the same league,but it is definitely good.''Trespassing'' is a melodic Prog Rock cut with classical-influenced breaks,while ''Dancing bird'' is a very sensitive piano-driven ballad with warm vocal lines.The short acoustic ''Inconceivable'' helps as an intro to the grand epic ''A second life with heart and soul''.Compositionally the track stands well without being outstanding,it contains very strong CAMEL hints in the guitar section combined with classical piano passages and massive changes between complex and mellow ballad-like musiacianship,reminding me a lot of ANYONE'S DAUGHTER.''Houses on Voorde banks'' is a rather too long number,maintaining a vocal/piano-led atmosphere all the way,but things are put on the right way again with ''Shazz''.This one has a strong SPOCK'S BEARD flavor with a catchy sensitive chorus,while Langereis' leaves his piano for some synth soloing.The closing ''The observer'' contains some of the album's greatest guitar work,Langereis' piano is again on the classical side with nice passages,the vocals are very expressive and this one is the second best track after the opening cut.

The first step of Salmon into the prog world was done with the right foot,although the album has more than enough piano sounds and vocals.However,''Decade reference'' is certainly a fine start and the band showed potential for an even brighter future,as the compositions are all good with a nice balance between delicacy and adventure.Recommended for fans of Neo/Symphonic Rock,especially if you like bands in the vein of ANYONE'S DAUGHTER,GENESIS,ROUSSEAU,CAMEL.