NEW WORLD

From the first song "Stranted", we could easily ask our self if we are listening to David Gilmour, but then in the middle, here's the real Steve Hackett with a beautiful guitar solo taken from "Voyage of Acolyte". "Into the Sun" continue with more Floydish moody sound, then it gets heavier and faster, a simple song. In the song "The Lie", you can hear Yogi Lang of RPWL, but am I wrong, he is not really there as guest vocalist! The song "Under Control" brings some darker mood with a meaner voice from the perfect imitator Dave Kerzner. Nice atmosphere and chorus, it's easy too sing along. The song "Crossing of Fates" bring something new with the keyboards sound that take the Eloy's spacey sound and it's instrumental. The vocals are back with "My old friend", there is some acoustic guitar and some exotic chant in the background. In the song "Ocean of Stars", you won't resist to the irresistible melody. "Solitude" show the piano and the choir like it was almost a copy of Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon". The song "Nothing" starts like a ELO's song, catchy song again with a Steve Howe guitar solo that take us back to "Relayer". The song "New World" is a throwback to the 70's and 80's, it's not progressive but very melodic and well done. And if it wasn't enough, the end of the album is a 17 minutes epic with Steve Hackett back with more RPWL influence, some cinematic passages and a display of many guests vocalists ending this beautiful tribute album to the progressive rock of the past. The only fault of this album is that it the music has been inspired by the great prog bands of the past. It's almost like as a profane you came across a painting and couldn't tell if it's a copy or the real thing, but you like it anyway.

Very melodic, gentle Neo Prog not unlike TONY PATTERSON. Dave has a very pleasant DAVID GILMOUR-like voice.

1. "Stranded" (Pts. 1-5) (10:32) how can you go wrong with musical contributions from Nick D'Virgilio and Steve Hackett? (17.5/20) : - Part 1: Isolation - styled after PINK FLOYD's "Brain Damage" - Part 2: Delirium - sounding like some of David Gilmour's solo and post-Roger Waters Pink Floyd stuff. - Part 3: March of the Machines - heavier transition piece - Part 4: Source Sublime - back to the "Brain Damage / Eclipse" model and sound - Part 5: The Darkness - fast-paced, this sounds like something from PORCUPINE TREE--until it reverts to PF Dark Side for the finish. Nice Clare Torey imitation by Ana Cristina.

2. "Into the Sun" (7:21) a song with a space theme that fittingly sounds like it comes from PINK FLOYD's Dark Side of the Moon. Lush and pretty; very well-engineered. Often reminding me also of AIRBAG and STEVEN WILSON ("Stars Die"). The instrumental section is not as powerful as anything the former three bands have done, but it's good. (13/15)

3. "The Lie" (5:04) sounds like it came from on of Kevin Moore's CHROMA KEY albums. Fairly simple design and execution. Nice drumming, Nick! (8/10)

4. "Under Control" (5:54) clocks ticking and tinkling piano and tuned percussion behind acoustic guitar chord progression with synth strings support. Gilmour-like vocal. Cool synth work in middle instrumental passage. Piano-based "C" part is good. (7.75/10)

5. "Crossing of Fates" (4:49) "orchestrated" theatric bombast setting up for Keith Emerson MiniMoog soli. Simon Phillips (drums) and Billy Sherwood (bass), too. Nice Hammond and lead guitar work from Dave and Fernando Perdamo, respectively. (8.75/10)

6. "My Old Friend" (5:27) Another effects-drenched Dave Gilmour-like vocal over interesting palette of acoustic guitar, bubbly synths and percussives, and dreamy background vocalise from Maryem Tollar. The chorus section is straight power rock and forgettable; it's the other stuff that's so interesting. Very STEVEN WILSON-like--especially the section with Russ Parish's excellent guitar solo (8.75/10)

7. "Ocean of Stars" (5:36) piano over scratchy guitar shredding sounds opens. Then Dave enters singing with accompaniment of piano and electric guitar single notes. Nice chorus (especially the way it ends with the title lyrics). Wish it were a little more melodic or interesting musically. (8.5/10)

8. "Solitude" (3:39) pretty piano and electric guitar (sounding like GENESIS "Hairless Heart") are joined by female lead vocalist Lorelei McBroom performing vocalise. Dave's Great Gig in the Sky. Only problem is: it's been done before--and with astounding and, I fear, inimitable success. (7.5/10)

9. "Nothing" (6:17) PHIL COLLINS GENESIS (ABACAB)-like opening before going slightly YES-90120 with an 80s BUGGLES-like techno-pop palette and beat. Could have been interesting, but falls flat (too reliant on lyrics?) (7/10) 10. "New World" (5:57) (8.75/10)

11. "Redemption: Stranded (Pts. 6-10) (17:25) (30.5/35) : - Part 6: The Oasis - Steven Wilson-like--especially the multiple-voiced vocal track. - Part 7: Resilience II - instrumental with lush Tony Banks-like keyboard support; a return to DSotM themes and motifs--except for the COLDPLAY-like chorus cresendo. - Part 8: High on the Dunes - electric 12-strings, Mellotron, - Part 9: Mirage of the Machines - and Steve Hackett, oh my! - Part 10: To the Light - a very Gilmour-esque dénouement and finish.

Total Time 78:01

Despite drawing from some excellent sources and using a well-engineered sound palette throughout--and some great contributions of some of prog's all-time greats--the songs collected here often fall short of great.

B-/3.5 stars; a commendable collection of Steven Wilson / Pink Floyd-like Neo Prog songs. Good enough to recommend you try them out for yourselves.

Any Colour You Like (as long as it is Pink)

Tremendously entertaining Prog album from Kerzner, a sort of Alan Parsons for the new millenium. It is impossible to get away from the Pink Floyd influences painted with broad brush strokes across every inch of the album so if that is going to irritate you then steer clear. There is very little originality in terms of the music but sonically Kerzner is a wizard at finding interesting ways to elevate the (relatively) mundane into a neat set piece or tour de force. There's also a who's who of Prog luminaries involved including the ubiquitous Steve Hackett and Francis Dunnery plus cameos by Keith Emerson and Colin Edwin. It's an unabashed slice of Prog popcorn and should appeal to anyone who can get over the fact that it wallows joyfully in its influences.

Normally I would give 3 stars to this kind of thing but it's done so well and sounds so good that it gets the 4 star salute here.