POD TAMNI NEBESA (Под тъмни небеса)

Under Dark Neo-Prog

Under Dark Skies is the debut album of Bulgarian, self-taught musician, Velislav Ivanov. Velislav was brave enough to begin with a concept album ala Brave by Marillion(sorry for the pun), in the composition and mood aspects, focusing mainly on the melancholic mood of that album. So expect a dark album without the up-lifting melodies and lush keyboards of typical Neo-Prog.

This debut is definitely an emotional Neo-Prog album in which Velislav was able to create in his free time. Being 80% of the album truly calm, all led by gentle and well performed keyboards in the manner of mellotron, synths and piano.

The album also brings a pseudo-complex feel, having some of the songs in complex time signatures with very enjoyable piano which reminds me to Supertramp, a band that really doesn't have technically brilliant musicians, yet they're able of composing great tunes without the need of virtuosic musicianship.

While not being the album that really clicked me to Velislav's music, it's indeed an enjoyable debut with a good bunch of the main characteristics from Neo-Prog, which I have to repeat, they're very well performed and are clear to listen for the Neo-Prog fan.

3.5 stars, rounded to 3, because the next one truly deserves the 4 stars, and I don't think it's fair this one to be on par with the following.

Velislav Ivanov is a young Bulgarian musician, based in Sofia and born in 1988.Much of a self-taught pianist/keyboardist he found great interest in producing his own music already from his teenage years, influenced by the likes of Alan Parsons Project, Marillion and King Crimson.Before even becoming an adult, Ivanov was ready with his first album ''Pod tamni nebesa'' (Under dark skies), a concept release arond the life and work of poet Dimcho Debelyanov and a free download on last.fm.

Of course Ivanov is the absolutely responsible person around all arrangements, instrumentation and vocals on this album, which sounds more or less like a combination of Art Rock and Contemporary Singer/Songwriter stylings.Actually this album is very close to a less demanding MR. GIL solo releases, music based very much in atmospheric soundscapes and sensitive vocal lines than any kind of challenging instrumental passages.Ivanov unfolds the concept over long repetitive synth-led passages, low-tempo piano themes, sampled choirs and drums and a few guitar chops, while his vocal melodies are sometimes interesting and emotional.Noone can deny this young man has talent, his arrangements burst out some rare emotions, but the musicianship is generally very simple, quite one-dimensional and as a result rather monotonous.Additionally the lyrics in his native language prevent a great mass of listeners from any kind of inspection regarding the concept of ''Pod tamni nebesa''.

I see this album more of an experimentation than an attempt by Ivanov to make any kind of significant impact.Definitely a richer sound or even a collaboration with experienced musicians would have helped him.Recommended or not, this album remains a free download for anyone willing to explore Ivanov's early steps in the composing field.