THE EVE OF INNOCENCE

The Eve of Innocence is not a perticularly remarkable album. Sinister Street hasn't emerged from the 80s blazing new trails with an immediatly effective and emotive style. To the contrary, they've basically stuck with the same sound that so many Neo Progressive bands have worn to death. For a relative reference, the musical style on The Eve of Innocence is quite similar to Pendragon's The Jewel and the lesser-known (and not entirely without reason) Solitary Witness by Landmarq.

My main gripe with this album--and I hope this doesn't turn into a tirade--is that the music is very pop-oriented and saturated with cheesy nuances. Chances are, if you are prejudiced against Neo-Prog, or simply don't like what you've heard from the genre, hearing an album like The Eve of Innocence might've been the reason why. It's really a shame too, because honestly, there is a lot more to Neo-Prog than a pop song with crisp, unnaturally uplifting keyboard work and overly dramatic yet somewhat childish singing. All of those characteristics, however, lie in The Eve of Innocence, in varying degrees.

I feel, though, that the biggest fault in The Eve of Innocence is not the chessiness nor the thoroughly uninteresting vocals, but more the complete lack of effective production. I feel that this album would be far better if the production packed a bigger punch. As it is now, the songs just pass on by like a parade. But if there were a sense of urgency that some of the songs seem to demand, then the music would be much more interesting. If Sinister Street decided to re-record The Eve of Innocence with today's modern technology, I'd be eager to hear it for sure.

There are some good moments on The Eve of Innocence, but no songs that I enjoy entirely. These moments usually occur when the band takes a break from the prog-pop format and go for a bit of diversity, such as the slide bass and grand piano introduction of "A Prayer for the Dying," or the atmospheric parts of "Summit." But overall, The Eve of Innocence doesn't bring anything new to the table at all, and it basically falls flat.

Dutch Neo-Prog band from early 80's.They recorded the demo ''Prologue'' in 1989 and the same year they supported Fish on his tour.As a sextet with Olaf Blaauw on lead vocals, Erik van der Vlis and Peter van Leerdam on keyboards, Rob Kwakkelstein on bass, Peter Hoos on guitars and Marco Lodders on drums they released their debut ''The Eve of Innocence'' in 1992 on Progressive International.

Sinister Street played a safe and secure Neo Progresive Rock with limited complex themes and a tendency towards catchy, melodic tunes.And as with most of these cases, the band must produce some highly memorable material to be appreciated.This team from The Netherlands did it quite well, having a sensitive vocalist and a tight sound all the way, reminiscent of bands like second era PALLAS or JADIS.The guitars of Peter Hoos seem to lead the way, mainly electric with some acoustic flourishes here and there, and he does a good job, providing both energy and melody, helped by Blaauw's perfectly suited voice.However anyone expecting some massive keyboard pyrotechnics by the two keyboardists will be rather dissapointed.The keyboard work remains very careful all the way with some very decent organ waves and synthesizer solos but without any tendency towards an excessive use.The compositions follow a rather typical song-format with only a few instrumental surprises and the album relies heavily on the passionate and dynamic approach of Sinister Street.

Easy-going, melodic and powerful Progressive Rock, where emotion and atmosphere come first over any kind of adventurous execution.For fans of melodic Prog, Neo Progressive Rock, AOR/Prog and anyone ready to face his first prog experience.

Sinister Street is an obscure and little known neo prog band coming from Holland. Formed in late '80s their first release will come only in 1992 named The eve of innocence at defunct label Progressive international. While to many this is a very mediocre release, I really like it, is well played and I like a lot the vocals, Olaf Blaauw is a great vocalist who really knew to make his voice appreciated, this is not another Gabriel/Fish clone for sure. The music is more then ok, imagine a combination of Everon, Jadis with Saga, and some pop elements thrown in here and there. To me the album sound happy, fresh even is far from essential listning has plenty of good moments like opening track One in a Million, Pulse of life and A prayer for the dying, good neo pieces. There are lots of melodic passages, good keyboards and great vocal lines, a sincere release to my ears. Nothing is groundbreaking here, but is enjoyble to my ears. Eevn they had concerts with Jadis and Marillion, they disbanded in 1997 when their label went broke. 3, 5 stars for sure.