MIND OVER MATTER

From Sweden, a very different band if you are familiarized with FLOWER KINGS or LANDBERK styles. GALLEON plays neo-prog, but with the special vintage touch of Mellotron. You can find in "Mind Over Matter" the kind of music that, surely, you listened to before (IQ, PENDRAGON), in this case very well done.

So, if you don't have prejudices about something not really original, check this album out. It's, IMHO, the best of GALLEON, quite better than 2003 "From Land To Ocean".

Galleon have made a giant step forward in the right direction with this album. One of Sweden's top melodic progressive rock bands have made their finest album to this date. Five great tracks that range from 8:02 to 21:19 minutes.

Their music is and has always been very keyboard oriented. Their music is reminiscent to bands such as Genesis, Manticore, Marillion, Pendragon and Rush. I have always had some problems to get into Galleon's music, but once you have listened to it a couple of times it's quite enjoyable. The highlight is the opening track "Art Gallery".

This is also Mats Frost's best cover painting for Galleon to this date.

This is the album to start with if you never have heard Galleon before. And with such a good album I think that you should give them a chance. A Swedish classic?

This fifth studio album from GALLEON is a return to form after the disappointing "The All European Hero". Very cool cover art as well. The band thanks NO NAME in the liner notes. I complained about the lack of guitar in their last album, but thankfully it's back, but the biggest surprise was how deep and prominant the bass is.

"Art Gallery" has a spacey and experimental intro before the familiar GALLEON sound I know and love arrives after a minute. Vocals and prominant bass after 1 1/2 minutes. I really like the synths that come and go throughout. A powerful sound with drums fades into a tranquil soundscape after 4 1/2 minutes.The contrast continues. A calm with spoken vocals 8 minutes in. It kicks back in with a great sound 9 minutes in. More excellent bass 11 minutes in as the guitar starts to soar. Mellotron to end it. "Operating Manual" opens with mellotron and drums before a kind of silly melody with vocals takes over. The contrast continues. A change 3 minutes in as we get a nice soaring melody. A calm with keys and reserved vocals follows. Mellotron after 5 minutes. After 6 1/2 minutes we get to the heaviest section of the song. Huge bass ! The guitar mimics the synths 8 minutes in as it continues to be heavy. The tempo picks up as it lightens but the bass is still deep. Mellotron ends it.

"Starborn" actually has some bagpipes in it early. Synths, drums and bass build as vocals arrive after a minute. Synth and percussion support the reserved vocals. My least favourite track on here, but's it ok. "House Of Plenty" is pure bliss for me. Such an uplifting and soaring melody to open. The vocals come in and sound almost like they're far away. A change 3 1/2 minutes in as vocals,acoustic guitar and mellotron lead the way. The sound becomes fuller with some chunky bass .Nice. Synths become prominant 5 minutes in. It's heavier before 8 minutes. Hey the soaring melody is back ! This is so uplifting. Vocals return 9 minutes in. "The Wanderer" is the 21 minute closer. It opens with acoustic guitar and vocals sung with meaning. Synths after 3 minutes as vocals stop. Heaviness 4 1/2 minutes in but it lightens when vocals return. I love the lyrics that talk about using your imagination. A bass line with mellotron after 8 minutes. The sound builds and pulses. GENESIS-like soundscape before the reserved vocals return. Uptempo with vocals 11 minutes in. Synths are prominant 13 minutes in. Deep bass 14 1/2 minutes in. Piano 18 minutes in as an uplifting section follows with vocals. Deep bass then mellotron 20 minutes in. Again the lyrics for me are meaningful and even emtional late in the song.

This album is simply a joy, and one that deserves 4 stars in my opinion.

Mind over matter is another well played and well produce album by this excellent neo prog band from Sweden. I realy enjoy this band and I think is one of the top neo bands from today and in last 10-12 years. They play a wel crafter music , with long instrumental passages who alternates from mellow side to more uptempo, delivering some very fine moments as well on every album. Their fifth studio album Mind over matter bring nothing new in Galleon sounds, I mean has the same level with Heritage and vision for example, but also is less convincieng than that one as well. On this album we have pieces from 8 minute to over 20, that means thay have enough spave to express themself with long passages, instrumental one are a real good, but sometimes they are a little boring, and only on this album. For ex the longest piece from here The wanderer - a mid tempo track who alternets from great moments to a little bit boring in places, if this one were only 15 minutes that would be diffrent, is to long and is to mid tempo all the way,they don't bursting out on this one. Anyway the best one are the opening track Art gallery and Starborn with a scothish feel , the rest are just ok. No doubt a good album, but less enjoyble than Heritge and visions or King Aragon. I will give 3 stars for sure, is one of the neo bands that I realy enjoy very much and I think they are among the best in this subgenre aswell. 3 sars for sure.

''The All European Hero'' was followed by a small tour by Galleon in Norway, England and Germany with some very good response.Spring 97' finds the band recording material for a new album and many of the new songs were presented on the following gigs.Between October 97' and May 98', through many technical problems, Galleon recorded their fifth studio effort ''Mind Over Matter'' at the Wavestation Studios in Ljusne, their last work for VF Productions.

The band developed the sound of ''The All European Hero'' even more and what actually can be heard here is Galleon's most grandiose and epic effort by far.Five long tracks, ranging from 8 up to 21 minutes, just show the band's ambitious ideas and the musicianship ended up to be very challenging and atmospheric with Galleon offering their most symphonic album up to date.Fantastic distorted guitars, seriers of excellent solos, huge synthesizer sounds, bombastic passages and endless breaks, all contained in one package full of passion and intensity.The style is very close to the likes of COLLAGE or FLAMBOROUGH HEAD, that is a perfect balance between superb atmospheric instrumental workouts with guitars/keyboards leading the ideas and very strong lyrical moments.And while the early MARILLION influence is still present, GALLEON manages to transform this 80's-styled Neo Prog to some great modern Progressive Rock with great respect for the past years but also a very refreshing approach.

Perfect fit for all those loving the 90's Neo/Symphonic Progressive Rock sound, actually for this audience ''Mind Over Matter'' is close to a masterpiece.But also anyone fond of atmospheric,emotional and well-crafted Progressive Rock should chase this release.Easy to get it as this was re-released in 2005 by Progress Records and, of course, highly recommended.