STORIES OF LUMINOUS GARDEN

Well, this one is a typical NeoProg album, though regarding musicianship quite well done, versatile, very melodic but sometimes, what I don't like that much in albums of this genre, quite cheesy and too bombastic. Another point which pushes the rating down are the bad vocals what is more often the case with bands from Japan. maybe it would be better if they'd be in their native language, but this is most of the times hard to support for western ears as well. Overall the music is quite okay apart from parts when it becomes too shallow and pop-ish, at least if one likes NeoProg in general, what I don't apart of few exceptions. I'd say for die-hard fans of this genre only and the ones who collect items especially from this country.

40 years of listening to Rock music (in all it's forms) and I finally get around to boring everybody with a review.

An odd choice for a first, but this one intrigued me.

Firstly it's a Japanese Prog rock album, which from all accounts is rather hard to get your paws on.

Secondly, despite being older than the Thames I had never given any Japanese outfit a second look.

Thirdly, the Japanese have always maintained a consistent interest in rock ; Made in Japan, Live at the Budokan for example show what good taste these fine folks have had over the years. Their own - home grown - stuff well......no.

I have to say, I approached this record with a pre-concieved idea of what I was about to hear. I was thinking : wailing Japanese folk instruments and probably a equally annoying female voice (check the cover).

Wrong on both counts.

This is actually a well concieved and not unoriginal piece of work, something like a cross between early period Genesis (without the humour) and would you believe, Pavlov's Dog.

Ah fear not, not the high soprano of that excellent band, but the violin/keyboards interaction. The lead singer clearly models himself on Mr Gabriel at his best, in terms of wearing ludicrous headgear, but his vocal range cannot be compared to the legend. It's mid range, nothing out of the ordinary (think Pendragon ?) and embellished with sweet harmonies.

Not for the Heavy brigade this one, although there are a few rock riffs to enjoy here and there, 'Two Drifters', in particular stands out. Some of the songs border on the cheesey, although performed with verve and confidence. 'Snowfall' will send a lot of Prog diehards running for the hills, with it's rather twee content, and then the Reprise, rather unsurprisingly called 'Snowfall (Reprise)'.

All in all, an extremely pleasant and enjoyable listening experience, and as I said earlier, not one for the heavy metallers among us. Well worth tracking down if you can find it, and if your bag is Genesis/Starcastle/Pavlovs Dog/Kansas then it's worth hunting down.