CATHEDRAL OF EMOTIONS

This is once again a good cd for neo-prog lovers,I am telling you that I was very please to discover this band, a little bit like Subterra,Chaneton and Knight Area there is nothing weak on this album,the keys are close to old Marillion,the music as lots of energies but you wont hear a lot of guitar solos like we are use to with the super groups like Arena, Pendragon and old Marillion.My goal is always to find new neo-prog music and I can say that I had many deceptions but not with Ricocher!

Their previous EP was quite alright and ''Ricocher'' came back with a full (and lengthy) album two years later. What can I say about this work?

First of all, very little reviews for this Dutch band (one commented review before mine). Even if the music proposed is rather basic, I believe that they would have deserved more exposure here (Dutch fans could have promoted them a bit more: Up, Up). It is just a question of reporting your feelings about a band who plays good prog music after all. Anyway, since I am a neighbour (Belgium), I will do the job.

What's for sure is that this album is not a masterpiece. There is nothing wrong with ''Cathedral of Emotions'' except that it totally lacks in . emotion. What you'll get here is a classic neo-prog album with some fine guitar breaks and above average vocals.

Still, this hour long album doesn't hold a lot of great tracks. As with most of neo-prog albums, I have to say that my first impression when I listened to this work some five years ago was dramatically better than the one I have tonight.

Even the long title track is not transporting me into the heights of prog heaven. Crafted music, that's for sure. But little gorgeous moments. It often reminds me of ''Flamborough Head'': same vocal approach, and a fine but passionless musical style. Cathedral of Emotions'' is just shy of . emotions as I have said.

The prog fan will still be confronted to fine melodies and to some extent, popish atmospheres (''Fugative''). Now, per se, there is nothing wrong in writing pleasant pop tunes. It might sound as basic prog music, but it is enjoyable (the guitar break is so pleasant.).

Some tame moments are unfortunately also ''highlighting'' this effort. This feeling is seriously felt during ''Live Your Live''. And the Marillion Mark I oriented ''Out Of Hands'' might sound just too much to many ears (and mine belong to the impression). This is a ''Garden Party'' revisited.

I will be quite conservative with my rating. The choice between two or three stars being always a difficult task. This ''Cathedral Of Emotions'' is an average album but I'll upgrade it to three stars.

First full lenght release of this unfairly unknown neo prog band from Holland was issued in 2002 after an EP released two years prior. Cathedral of emotions is the name and is to me a good towards great neo prog album. No spectacular moments here but not a bad piece is present aswell. The hints as many listners can hear from Pendragon, Marillion, and of course from dutch neo prog school as Flamborough Head or Plackband. The guitars and aswell the keyboards are well performed with beautiful breaks, nice keys all over and above all a pleasent voice and quite convincing in many places. This debut were showing potential, eventualy will appear a second album in 2004 but sadly they disbanded in 2007. The title track and few more are for sure pleasent to all neo prog fans, I like what I've heared here, quite less solid then the next one, but still I think worth investigated. 3 stars rounded to 3.5 in places.