THE CHRONICLE OF STOLEN SOULS

FREEDOM TO GLIDE known in 2019 with an album where the piano ballads caused me, reminding me of the flights of QUEEN; the rest on PINK FLOYD from the 'Animals' era, a bit logical when you know that they were part of a tribute band to the above-named group; and here I am for their last.

'The Chronicle of Stolen Souls (prologue)' for the ballad intro, like a warm-up lap on a racing circuit. 'Stolen Souls' on a meanstream sound between melodic rock, soft and AOR; it's soft, weighted and controlled. 'Seize the Day' on a latent tune, slow rising melody; beautiful guitar solo but I already find reminiscences too redundant, doing floyd is good but finding a clean sound would be better. 'The War Cannot Be Won' basic acoustic guitar riff, on PINK FLOYD. After this notion, it allows to navigate on a concept of flamingos a bit like 'The Final Cut' precisely; acoustic solo and title saved a little by the second electric solo. 'Peace Without Victory' continues on a beautiful melody with violin which actually flirts with excessive spleen; dreamlike crescendo, bells, everything is staged to give goosebumps. 'Silent Land' soft bluesy tune, with the drums that go with it; time seems to tick away tirelessly and once again it's the limpid solo guitar that holds the title; very hovering finish in decrescendo, trademark of the duo. 'Left Side of the Brain' with an intro in line, its languorous which wants to be mono-melodic; simple, good as background music in fact. 'The Chronicle of Stolen Souls (epilogue)' and the finale with a grandiloquent intro, see there a beautiful sensitive, emotional intro, stuffed with spleen notes, ah this violin!, just enough to make you melt without restraint; the crystalline piano sends me back for a while to the classic intros of BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST, a stronger guitar solo, choirs and here is the second great title, too bad there are not more of them. 'This Is How It End' for the final bis melodic rock pop title with a break incursion on the atmospheres of the Floyds with siren and plane at ground level; the evaporating piano confirming the factory sound of F2G.

F2G has released a beautiful album, in a melodic prog register. The problem is the wait after the first superior in all respects; the problem is the disparity between good titles and some very good ones that end up consuming this disparity.

Freedom To Glide is a musical duo that consists of Andy Nixon (vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards) and Pete Riley (piano, synthesizers and organ), this is their fourth effort, and my first musical encounter with this duo. Band info: "Our fourth album release The Chronicle Of Stolen Souls has actually replaced this year's intended album release due to the unfolding world events of 2022, not least the war in Ukraine. The current political language is reminiscent of what we thought to be a bygone era of power politics and serves as a frightening reminder of the worst situations of the last century. We can only hope for peace, not a peace that is forced upon the loser but a peace without victory."

What a wonderful, pretty laidback music, the nine songs (between 2 and 7 minutes) often deliver dreamy climates and slow rhythms, the focus is on Andy Nixon his intense vocals, tender and often with a melancholical undertone, embellished with moving guitar soli.

My highlights.

Stolen Souls : The first part contains an atmospheric climate with dreamy vocals and piano, then a slow rhythm., halfway culminating in a sensitive electric guitar solo with howling runs.

The War Cannot Be Won : This track has been built-up beautifully, from dreamy to a slow rhtyhm, with tender vocals, then a break with delicate Mellotron cello and twanging acoustic guitar, bass runs and a warm acoustic guitar solo, finally another moving guitar solo (Gilmour inspired), wow.

Peace Without Victory 06:52 : This is my absolute highlight, it starts dreamy with piano and acoustic guitar, tender vocals, halfway breathtaking interplay between Mellotron violins, piano and drums, goose bumps, then an intense electric guitar solo, and finally again that wonderful interplay between Mellotron violins, piano and drums, I love it.

The Chronicle Of Stolen Souls (Epilogue) : The titletrack opens with a melancholical violin sound and bombastic orchestrations, then tender piano and vocals join, followed by a howling electric guitar solo in slow rhythm. The second part features a dreamy climate with tender piano, and a melancholical undertone.

Highly recomenmded!