DREAMERS

SPLINTER - Dreamers : Special Edition CD with bonus DVD

This is a young Dutch progrock formation that has released 3 demo CD's since 2002, in 2005 they joined The Flower Kings as a support-act and last year (2007) Splinter delivered their first studio album entitled Dreamers.

Listening to Dreamers I am delighted about the skills of the musicians, the modern and professional sound and the elements dynamics and adventure in their music. The first track (how funny) Goodbey showcases Splinter their compositional skills and their captivating progressive sound: lots of shifting moods, great work on guitar (including a wah-wah drenched guitar solo), a surprising break with fluent piano and strong vocals and flowing bass solo, accompanied by piano, what a calling card by Splinter! The long composition Reflections (four parts, running time almost 15 minutes) contains many interesting musical ideas and variety like the acoustic guitar runs and piano sound in Part 1 - Dreamer, exciting guitar riffs and fat synthesizer flights in the final part of Part 2 - The Dream, varied keyboards and moving guitar in Part 3 - REM and a fiery, very compelling guitar solo in Part 4 - Wake Up. The alternating track Anthony's Songs is also a musical adventure, from propulsive guitar riffs and jazzy piano to flute-Mellotron (like Strawberrry Fields Forever by The Beatles), warm acoustic guitar runs and howling electric guitar, wonderful! The long final song The Devil's Advocate (3 parts) contains lots of changing climates, a wide range of vintage keyboards (Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes elektric piano and a fluit- and viool- Mellotron duet) and a compelling closing section with a strong build-up and howling, wah-wah drenched guitar, accompanied by lush Hammond organ. In my final words about this excellent album I have to give a big hand to the lead vocals by Ewout Ongering.

This Special Edition version contains a bonus DVD on which we can find items like live footage, a photo shoot, a biography and reviews. For a few euros more this is an interesting bonus DVD. And don't forget to visit the Splinter website: www.splinteronline.com .

Splinter needed 3 years to come with a second album, and I must tell you worth the time waiting, another excellent album by this discrete and unknown band. A real delight and pleasent compositions, great skilss , easy playing made from this album another worthing investment for sure. Each piece show Splinter in a great form, kinda same with the first one in manner of composing, nice interludes between musicians. Opening track Good by, Bio engine are great examples of how great this band is and in same time very unknown to larger public. Realy a shame because , they areat least with one head above neo prog bands from today. They also incorporates very well some prog metal elements, but without that specific metal atmosphere. Another great album that must be discovered or re discovered by many listners. 4 stars gain, recommended both album, they are a abnd to watch in the future.