ACROSS THE RUBICON

This is my first connection with this band from the Netherlands, and I must admit that I am quite impressed. I don't know what it is about Europe that is producing such great progressive mujsic in the past few years (Airbag, Pain of Salvation, etc) and why North America seems to lag behind in all areas except prog metal. I suspect the attention span of us North Americans has diminished, and without that hook or soudbite, we simply move on. Well enough rambling. "Silouhette" has produced a masterful piece of prog, with sweeping melodies, judicious use of organ/piano and reasonably complex rythms. This album should have mass appeal to progheads far and wide.My only complaint (overall) would be a nagging feeling in the back of my head of overproduction, in that, it sometimes feels as if the band kept asking the question, "Where should this song go from here?" rather than letting it develop organically. But don't let that take away from the overall pleasant listening experience.

4.2 stars