REMEMBER THE COLOURS

This is a step ahead in comparison to their debut album, even though this band is looking here for its personal identity. They have been getting more and more influence regarding the psychedelic colors of PINK FLOYD as well as those ones within the early "proto progressive" scene in the UK, for many years. This German ensemble anyway has got also some hints of such fusion progressive style (including the typical polyphonic excursion at the vocals as well as their harmonizations) for example ECHOLYN-like or GENTLE GIANT oriented. Recommended, even though it is not completely essential..!

3.5 for sure

Remember the colours of reality

Second album of this excellent band released in 1994 and named Remember the colours is another worthy album from their catalogue. I was simply shocked how low rated this band is, unbelievable. If their next album There was a stunning album, this is almost there, again captivating moments, solid musicianship and awesome passages. I like it a lot , very under rated and unnoticed band and is a terrible shame to be so, because High Wheel music is very demanding and each pieces show a great potential. Good towards great guitar parts, top notch keyboards, some fascinating flute arrangements, what else a winner for sure. The vocal parts are excellent, specially the choirs are simply amazing. The best track and high lights for me are Open Lines, simply awesome from start to finish, Gear-Wheels, The Four Reasons. So, a good towards great album, not as solid as their next album There but definatly a worth checking out release. I like this band a lot and have a soft spot for them for years. If not totaly essential album, this band for sure must be discovered or re discovered by many as possible listners, one of the top german bands from the '90's in progressive rock zone.

In a display of endless inspiration and as the ink on the layouts of the ''1910'' CD's hadn't yet dried, High Wheel ented the Pegasus Musik Studio in Hohenrain to record their second album.The recordings took place between March and June 1994 and all compositions were written by Wolfgang Hierl.The band found also a distribution home on the Rockwerk label and ''Remember the colours'' was released during the second half of 94'.

This work shows a turn of the group towards more refined and polished compositions with an evident, clear symphonic attitude.Actually this collection of ten short and long tracks sounds a lot like the German answer to the rising American band ECHOLYN.GENESIS and GENTLE GIANT appear to be the biggest sources of inspiration of a group, that is not afraid to put powerful rhythmic runs next to laid-back pastoral soundscapes and this time they do it with so much comfort.Excellent multi-vocal arrangements are all over the album, supporting an otherwise very strong musicianship, that contains lovely piano interludes, nostalgic Hammond organs and careful use of synthesizers, far from the excessive display of the 80's and 90's Neo Prog acts.Some tremendous and bombastic guitar moves are surrounding the good keyboard parts and all tracks are full of sudden surprises, sensitive melodies as well as energetic performances with rich and dense instrumental ideas.Lots of mellow acoustic textures with light organs and piano and deep lyrical content keep a very good balance.The three long tracks are definitely in the right direction with strong symphonic and lighter folky influences, containing some great flute parts and a fair amount of shifting moods.On these arrangements High Wheel sound very close to Italians MALIBRAN except the aforementioned ECHOLYN comparison.

''Remember the colours'' is indeed a tasty fruit of 90's Symphonic Rock with blinks both on the past and present.Recommended to all fans of Classic-styled Prog, who love technical brilliance and intricate melodies in their music...3.5 stars.