A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

As a rule, I never purchase an album without sampling it first. And I must admit that after Light of Day, Day of Darkness I had huge expectations. Disappointed, no! Enthused, no...not really! Ambivalent feelings for the album, no doubt!

A Blessing in Disguise is nothing like the inspired Light of Day, Day of Darkness, which was an original melancholic progressive metal masterpiece. The new album contains 9 tracks, each ranging from 4m30s to shortly over 8 minutes in length. The songs are dark, melodic and yes...progressive. On some songs the band hits the nail on the head while on others Tchort misses the mark altogether. I guess that explains my ambivalence towards the album even though it includes some of my FAV songs from the band.

The music goes from soft and slow, very serene piano passages to heavy guitars, to full blown instrumentations with strings leading to some very catchy choruses. But like I've already said, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't!

1. "Crushed to Dust" - 4m26s - (10/10)

The band waste no time rocking out on the opening track. The first indication that this album is nothing like Light of Day, Day of Darkness. This is an enjoyable track that grows on you after repeated listens. Fast paced, Nordus vocal delivery sounds so different here, at first I actually thought they had a new singer. No guitar solo...but none required!

2. "Lullaby in Winter" - 7m48s - (7/10)

Soft, smooth, slow tempo track. Nice melancholic melody. You get the feeling that winter is coming...the sad winter months! Then at the 3m20s mark the song makes a sudden twist that doesn't fit with the beginning. But I really love the last 15 seconds or so, one sole electric guitar picking "passage" for an awesome ending.

3. "Writings on the Wall" - 5m26s - (8/10)

Very mainstream, contemporary rock/metal. The subject matter of the song will keep it from being played on mainstream metal or rock radio. Perhaps my FAV after the first few spins. It now ranks amongst the best on the disc but it is not my overall FAV. Nice little solo.

4. "Into Deep" - 6m09s (8/10)

Slow mid paced rock track. Nice bass line intro and ending, serving as bookends to the song, very effective. Some very nice lead guitar work here. This one will grow on you as well...with each new listen!

5. "The Boy in the Attic" - 7m12s - (2/10)

Slow atmospheric opening with piano. The track never really takes off. My least FAV song on the album. Dull, slow, uninspired effort. No matter how many times I listen to this one, I simply can't get into it!

6. "Two Seconds in Life" - 6m26s - (2/10)

Another slow piano intro. Both openings to tracks 5 and 6 make me think about a depressed piano player in a bar...very slow moving music. Sometimes the vocals and the music reminded me of Supertramp's Crime of the Century? This may not be a bad thing, but Green Carnation should stay far away from this musical territory.

7. "Myron and Cole" - 5m52s - (10/10)

A very different opening here, and the band finally returns to heavier sounds with this track, a fast-paced rocker with organ accompaniment. Some slow passages appear here and there but everything blends well together.

8. "As Life Flows By" - 4m42s - (9/10)

Continues where "Myron and Cole" left us and builds on that energy. Fast-paced rocker with a good solid beat.

9. "Rain" - 8m06s - (5/10)

This track opens with a Cello, very soft opening melody which slowly moves into faster mid tempo territory. If Tchort was actually going for an "uninspiring" feel, he succeeded! Some good moments but inconsistent, going from good to not-so-good. I can't help but feel that this song could have been worked a little more...

Concluding Remarks:

Am I satisfied with the purchase of this album: Yes! Although I was expecting more, the band just decided not to repeat what they had already done on their previous album. Since I enjoyed 6 out of the 9 songs, I think that makes for a good recording. And since those 6 tracks are actually excellent recordings...I recommend the album to those who enjoy this bands' music, just don't expect "Light of Day, Day of Darkness - Part 2."