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WANDERLUSTLittle AtlasNeo-Prog |
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website


--Mark Schedener St. Louis


I've to put only the slight criticism that the chorus line of "Higher" reminds me very much to a song on Citizen Cain's "Raising The Stone". But since this song is really excellently done, this minor flaw is easily forgiven. An influence by that group and thus by Genesis (Gabriel) is certainly present in their music, though being not too obvious, especially not by the vocals that I find very good and unique. As well a slight influence by Gentle Giant in the multi-layered vocals of "Weariness Rides" can't be denied. Rather I would say Little Atlas combines influences from the last thirty years of progressive music to create their very own sound. I've to admit I haven't been diggin' this album right from the beginning. After the very first spin I was thinking that it's an absolutely irrelevant one and it was passing me by in some way. But after a while I put it again into my player and what shall I say, I've got a complete impression of it and the songs finally reached the responsive areas in my brain. One fellow reviewer mentioned that this is the best album he bought since "I Move" by Izz. I would even go beyond that comparison and say that it's even better than that one which could not fascinate me half as much.
All tracks on here are very good to excellent epic songs with very nice melodies that get stuck in your brain but not without the right portion of complexity to make them sound interesting. Highlights are I would say "Higher", "The Prisoner" and "Mirror Of Life" in which Bill Ayasse of Frogg Café is playing violin. Although it's a VERY GOOD album I wouldn't call it an essential one in prog from the general point of view, thus I'm giving it "only" 3 stars, but my true rating would be 3 ˝.

To describe the music is even more difficult. The combination of catchy choruses and lenghty instumental passages make me think immediately of Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The heavy use of hammond (and on some tracks mellotron) combined with the modern sound reminds me of early Spock's Beard. Far echoes of Genesis, Yes, Kansas, Gentle Giant, Flower Kings and the more obscure German band Rachel's Birthday ... really too much to mention. But don't expect anything sounding like aforementioned bands, cause Little Atlas has a unique kind of symphonic prog, mixing influences of all era's of prog. In fact, i think in the future they'll become a reference on their own.
Check them out!

The album opener "The Ballad of Eddie Wanderlust" (7:37) is truly a good album opener as the music blasts off energetically in relatively fast tempo through a combination of guitar by Roy Strattman and dynamic drumming by Diego Pocovi which accompany the clean vocal of Steve Katsikas. The vocal quality reminds me to the vocalist of Sweden-based A.C.T. It's an excellent album opener that fits my taste. Second track "Higher" (9:40) is performed mellow at first half of the track demonstrating, again, excellent guitar work. Oh yes, the guitar solo at the interlude part is really stunning and very easy to digest. It continues with keyboard solo by Steve Katsikas. Some guitar shows the Hackettian style. The music suddenly turns high right after the interlude part at approx 6th minute with great keyboard (reminds me to Rush' "Tom Sawyer" even though it's not the same). The keyboard sometimes sounds like Rick Wakeman solo with less pulsating chords / notes. This track is really great.
"Weariness Rides" (6:27) starts off in ambient style combining guitar and keyboard work. The guitar fills a bit of King Crimson (Robert Fripp) style even though not that much similar. Through this track I can sense the excellent quality of vocal by Steve Katsikas as well as the great guitar fills of Roy Strattman which sometimes sounds like Steve Howe as well. The combination of guitar and keyboard in the middle of track is really great - performed in relatively fast tempo. Track "The Prisoner" (10:38) starts with rough guitar riffs combined with dynamic drumming followed with rocking vocal. The music then flows in a smooth way with many tempo and style changes throughout its long duration. This track demonstrates obvious bass lines by Rik Bigai.
"Home" (6:44) provides a musical break with some sound effects in mellow style at the intro part followed with melodic music with distant vocal sounds augmented with soft keyboard work. It's probably the only song with ballad style from this album. "On and On" (5:35) intro part reminds me to the intro of EARTH & FIRE's "Gate Into Infinity" even though when the music enters, it changes the style. This is basically a straight forward track in medium tempo rock music. "Mirror of Life" (5:31) opens with soft piano touch which accompanies vocal in mellow style. The music flows in relatively the same style throughout the track. I enjoy the instrumental (interlude) part where guitar and keyboard demonstrate its roles.
It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!
Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

This is a typical release which grows with every time you hear. You may discover many references to Symphonic and Art Rock bands like SPOCKS BEARD, KING CRIMSON, IZZ, SALEM HILL or BIG BIG TRAIN. But LITTLE ATLAS never plagiarizes. The complete album is characterized by permanent changes and never ending ideas. Arranged with a lot of care.
Absolutely interesting to hear from the first to the last minute. Nothing lacks - the vocals are excellent - guitar and keyboard are harmonizing - f.e. on Higher. The ballad of Eddie Wanderlust is a good opener. Higher and Weariness rides are my personal highlights.
Highly recommended - get it and hear it for several times - you'll not be disappointed!

"Weariness Rides" has an ominous intro, more cool guitar melodies.This is a dark song with some good vocal harmonies. "The Prisoner" contrasts the light and heavy passages, with more amazing keyboard playing. "Home" features more splendid guitar solos and riffs. The final song "Mirror Of Life" opens with piano and gentle vocals, guitars and drums follow, including some good riffs and a violin solo as well.
This is a fun record with animated vocals, a good album.



I even feel Little Atlas has resemblance to Echolyn, another band that's leaning towards the eclectic prog subgenre. But on the other hand LA also has obvious neo characteristics like highly melodic instrumental contributions even though they are not really extended. In the end I like this style pretty much but I also believe this predecessor of Hollow is really the better album of the two and probably Wanderlust is the best of all four releases looking at the ratings. All songs on here are great and several even excellent.
So where I had almost a headache making up the rating for Hollow and decided for the three stars ultimately, this time the choice for the rating is not hard at all. This is a full blooded 4 star case and highly recommended for almost all progfans. Mainly the fans of Echolyn could have another fine discovery with Wanderlust (or Little Atlas in general).

LITTLE ATLAS Wanderlust ratings only
chronological order | showing rating only
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tptb
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progarctica (Doom)
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[email protected]
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drain-o (Jacques Brenier)
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Uncle Spooky (Mark Harding)
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pdrpdr (Pedro Lynn)
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Magic Mountain (Karl)
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PhideauxFan (Escazaux Jean-Luc)
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paxos (Jarle)
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Fernandi (Fernandi Gunawan)
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Pieromcdo (Pierre McDonald)
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profburp (Fourmont)
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ProgShine (Diego Camargo) COLLABORATOR Errors & Omissions Team
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danielfortin (Daniel Fortin)
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era_serph
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rpaez (Rafael)
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Anster (Anton Ermakov)
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Spitf1r3
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scarista (Alex)
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igor_nvrsk (igor)
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Yandr (Andrianov)
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Massimo1976 (Massimo)
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Angel3mil (Angel Emil)
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cloudynow
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sole-survivor
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Jihnik1958 (Evgeniy)
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mogol
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[email protected] (Sergey)
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terr83
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pars (Valeriy)
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progstreaming (Markwin Meeuws)
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escuchador (Pepe Castello)
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hydrozaur
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mbzr48 (Mayer More)
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bobyor
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Yrman
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ArChe (Arthur)
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njb0168 (Nigel Burrow)
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Leprogcestbien
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mp3killer
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OneOpinion (Steve C)
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Tull Tales (Bruce O)
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freewheeler (Sergei Komarov)
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Rendref (Ilia)
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akagert
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teermin8r (Christopher Teer)
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Mamburuk (Andrew)
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CJSrans (Jose)
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Thunderhook
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crimsogenes
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[email protected]
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albertovitt (alberto vittorini)
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tptb73
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Nikols (Nikolaj)
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lagos
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evolver1
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texmarq
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occido
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vbprogplus (vincent boucher)
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eric280167 (KAZARIAN)
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frankbostick
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captainjest (Joe Peterson)
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seouljester (jin)
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negipan
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Unblinking.EYE (John)
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mariuszty (mariuszty)
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dannyb
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jacobaeus (Alberto Nucci)
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NeZnayka (Oleg)
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asturias
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dukeofmar
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puzart (Artur)
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brunniepoo
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bangkokfreak (Morris Scott)
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sv-ved (Vadim)
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Quinino (Jose Simoes) SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Errors & Omissions Team
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HillTopMan (Ian Merchant)
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