CONTINUATION

1. "Fragments Part I" (4:45) nice modern instrumental intro like a combination of Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream, and New Age guitarist Paul Speer. (8.75/10)

2. "Fragments Part II" (5:08) switch from keys to guitar foundation, heavier rhythm section. Arp strings in the lead. The heavier side of Tangerine Dream (Thief-era). Cool vocoder-like effect on synth solo in the third minute. This music is so close to New Age/Dreamcore/Dark Ambient stuff!--probably due to the sequenced drum & rhythm tracks. (8.75/10)

3. "Fragments Part III" (5:05) more of the same (synth soloing) over a now-disco beat & piano rhythm track. (8.5/10)

4. "It's Been a Long Time" (11:45) hypnotic, pleasurable atmospheric prog on the level with but not quite as sophisticated as fellow German Thomas Thelen. (21/25)

5. "Linolenic Acid" (6:02) again, nice synth-dominated soundscapes with cheesy drum program. Like the rolling chunky bass. No great melodic hooks, though. (8/10)

6. "Random Walker" (3:27) opens sounding like a scaled back continuation of the previous song. Multiple synths solo until 1:20 when drums, bass, and searing electric guitar enter--with guitar taking the lead for the rest of the song. Early Paul Speer again comes to mind. (8.5/10)

7. "Airborn" (6:05) more guitar oriented--Matthias has some chops! Despite several other instruments getting lead time, for four minutes this song is a bit too one dimensional--and then when it does kick into gear, it's only for a minute and then we're back to the underlying four-chord arpeggiated guitar chord progression. (8/10)

8. "It's Time to Grasp the Mantle" (7:50) cool harpsichord-like carpet over which vocalist Anke Ullrich and Norbert create a choir singing the song title. At the end of the third minute the full ensemble with bass and drum lines enter as Anke and Norbert add more distinctive individual performances around the choir and other instruments. I really like this song: the vocal performances are so powerful! More of this, please! Plus, the vocals help distract me from the programmed music (drums). My favorite song on the album. (14/15)

9. "Fragments Part IV" (8:41) decent conclusion to the Fragments suite, though the bombastic New Age drums just get to me. (16.75/20)

10. "Floating Subatomic Particles" (4:11) the opening is very Dreamcore/Dark Ambient like--until the strumming acoustic guitar enters, then it takes on a PINK FLOYD-like flavor. Programmed drums again take us into the realm of New Age artists. Another illustration of how slender is the divide between those musics and prog (if, in fact, it exists at all). Pleasantly engaging. (8.5/10)

11. "Solitary Life" (6:54) opens like we're in The Wall with all kinds of computer/keyboard incidentals flitting in from all directions. Richard Wright-like delayed synth takes the lead and first solo. Actually pretty cool--with some great, though subtle, chord progressions. Another top three song. (13.25/15)

12. "So Much is on the Line" (first Session) (5:37) different from the others with sparse opening palette with echoed saxophone soloing over the top. Programmed drums begin to show at the end of the first minute with rhythm track forming in the second. Gilmour-like guitar solo over thick Thomas Thelen-like soundscape (only simpler). Great pace in the final third. (8.75/10)

13. "The Streets are Filled with People" (2:51) simple piano-based foundation over which Anke Ullrich and Norbert take turns singing. Powerful! My final top three song. (9/10)

Total Time 78:21

B/four stars; a solid prog album despite its computerized shortcuts. Norbert has an excellent sense of prog drama. Recommended for any prog lover to at least hear.