LIVE AT NEARFEST

'Live At Nearfest' presents an excellent IZZ performance from the year 2007. Firstly, let me assure that they belong to my favourite bands over hell of a long time. Founded by Galgano brothers Tom and John they are of an exceptional singularity, thus I often come back to them, especially when I'm in a pleasant mood. I like their convenient combination of trickiness and warm-hearted harmonies - additionally the (polyphonic) vocals are a special trademark. Musicianship is wide-ranged, John Galgano for example handles bass, guitar and keyboards, and they have two drummers respectively percussionists aboard, who complement each other.

Won't claim that this is something like a best of collection exactly, but the compilation surely makes it big, sounds rounded due to a perpetual shift back and forth between charming and propulsive moments. They start with Swallow Our Pride - a testimonial, which made it on the next coming album 'The Darkened Room' then. My River Flows is somewhat exceptional while given with two guitars involved, speaking of Paul Bremner and John Galgano perfectly complementing on this very dynamic song. Now the operating temperature is achieved in a minimum of time.

The symphonic Assurance shows them hanging back then with charming moments at first, but - not really surprising - in between the horses break into a gallop of course. Wonderful vocals and sparkling piano lines are the attraction on where the studio version of Late Night Salvation seems to be better as for my impression - eh ... sorry ... if at all I'm talking about nuances here, you should know. I still find this an exceptional feature included - just take care of the female vocals and the drum solo performed by both percussionists.

The atmospheric Where I Belong is showcasing Anmarie Byrnes and Laura Meade in front - and then Star Evil Gnoma Su follows as their showpiece per se. Every time I listen, I'm still impressed about the virtuosity - a masterpiece of progressive rock indeed. The live version even seems to work slightly better. Chapeau! Funny - after years I finally realized, that the song title is a (simple) pun. This live album is a perfect introduction to the IZZ world, if you still are not familiar. Furthermore you shouldn't miss their studio output.

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