III OF DREAMERS

I was asked by a band member to write a review about their work, so I got the CD and after listening to it for weeks I still find it difficult to comment it. First of all let me start by saying I really don´t understand why this broup is under the neo prog banner: there is nothing remotely linked to what we called neo prog sound, except for some vague Gabriel era Genesis feeling on a couple of songs, and still there is only very little of it. So if you think of Marillion, IQ, Flamborough Head or Collage, forget it. It seems that this finish outfit decided to follow a much darker, droning path, and 80´s King Crimson and Sigur Ros seems to be the main influence, along with a few VDGG lines here and there.

What strikes me vividly is how bad the production is. The drums specially are appalling. Finish bands were always known for their excelent recording sound. So much so it is hard to believe it wasn´t done on purpose. For the songwriting is good overall. And they do have some nice ideas and seem to be good players (again the production might give a false impression). There is lot of mellotron and some monochromatic guitars. Several parts are quite climatic in a KC way in the 70´s. Vocals are mediocre at best. That is a department they should look for improvement fast (along with the even more urgent better recording technique and producer).

All in all not a bad CD, but clearly it has several issues that I hope will be solved by the next releases. If you like the style I mentioned before you should give this record a chance.

Rating: 2,5 stars.