MOMENTS OF CLARITY

After years of being a fan of prog Rick Duncan decided to take the plunge and write and record a prog album. Joining forces with vocalist Todd Plant Rick came up with 11 tracks coming in just under an hour.

WARNING: For those who hate the vocals of Journey, Styx and Kansas or anything else you consider AOR to the point that it ruins the music for you stop reading now and go on to other groups. You won't like this!

For those of you more open to such things then this is a good album. Outside of a few keyboard parts Robert Van Dyne plays and a couple of great violin solos from David Ragsdale (Kansas) all the other instruments are handled by Duncan while Plant does all the vocals. The album lacks some feeling of being finished and I would think that comes form the fact Rick, while competent is not a master of everything he plays.

The album is a concept album of a man who has tsuffers the tradgedy of his wife dying that brings him to question what he believes and it is his search within and without that constitutes the story. The music is passionate and emotional to match this story. Rick Duncan is influenced by Kansas, Spock's Beard (although I would guess it is Kerry Livgren and Neal Morse more specifically) as well as Dream Theater and Yes. These are influences are apparent with out being derivative. Still there is plenty to like in songs like Introspective, The Grand Design, Shock Value, Moments of Clarity and Ascension. The songs are well crafted even the more simpler tracks like Angeline and Colored Leaf. I look forward to future works from this group.

3.5 stars

Facing the front cover of this album and knowing that this CD is related to progressive rock,you almost can imagine what to expect.After PRESTO BALLET,CRYPTIC VISION is another US band that tries to bring the 70's spirit of KANSAS,YES,STYX and SUPERTRAMP to surface in a modern hard progressive way.And I admit they have done it in a good way...

The members of the band aren't amateur musicians.In fact they are very experienced like Todd Plant,Rick Duncan and of course David Ragsdale.That is also obvious also by the songs' format as none of them has obvious weaknesses.The band is very much influenced by KANSAS and secondly a MAGELLAN- and SAGA related sound is also evident.The album to almost a full hour of music approachable also for non-prog listeners...

''Introspective'' is a great intro with stunning musicianship,great keyboard and guitar work here, followed by ''New prespective'',which sounds like a modern KANSAS tribute.''Contemplation'' is a nice mellow track with beautiful melodic SAGA-like ending theme.''Grand design'' is an alternating complex/melodic track in the vein of SUPERTRAMP and MAGELLAN.At this point of the work begin some ballad-like tracks,among them are ''Angeline'' (cheesy and AOR-ish,rather weak),''Losing faith'',''Coloured leaf'' (both in the vein of KANSAS/STYX/AOR,nice tracks) and ''Ascension'' (a YES/KANSAS combination).''Angels requiem'' is an opera/classical influenced piece of music with female operatic vocals,while ''Shock value'' is a hard rocking,almost metal speed track reminiding me of ARTENSION with John West-like angry vocals.''Moments of clarity'' is the 12 min.epic of the album with influences by YES,KANSAS and SUPERTRAMP, a very good easy-listening track with decent performance by all the members...

It is obvious that CRYPTIC VISION tried not th show music skills but to have fun and create an accesible prog rock album with catchy songs in a progressive way.This is a very enjoyable album and a good break between prog efforts that really take a lot of spins to appreciate.So,have a break,listening to this album that combines 70's prog,heavy prog,AOR and hard rock in an nice way...3 stars...

Well this does come as advertised with that AOR flavour and a KANSAS / STYX vibe. I really have had a hard time enjoying this mainly because this just isn't the style of music I can appreciate.

"Introspective" is the opening instrumental and we get some spacey atmosphere to start before a beat, synths then a full sound kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes.This is good. Violin after 3 minutes and the guitar solos late. "New Perspective" sounds like a KANSAS track unfortunately and I don't like the harmonies. "Contemplation" opens with some good sounding atmosphere. Spoken words before 2 minutes then it kicks in with vocals. A guitar solo a minute later. "Grand Design" is my favourite track. A heavy beat to start and when the vocals arrive they remind me of YES. Heavy drums are back before 4 minutes. Some guitar and organ follow then harmonies. "Angeline" features some heaviness early then it settles some when the vocals arrive.The heaviness does come and go.The lyrics are too syrupy here. "Losing Faith" is mainly strummed guitar,vocals and piano. Sappy lyrics too.

"Angel's Requiem" is melancholic with piano and organ.Some good vocal melodies and drums arrive late. "Clored Leaf" is piano and reserved vocals. It picks up some after 2 minutes and gets fuller. Some wicked guitar follows. "Shock Value" opens with experimental sounds then it kicks in with vocals. Not a fan. "Moments Of Clarity" opens with atmosphere then it turns uptempo before a minute.Violin 2 1/2 minutes in.The atmosphere is back after 3 minutes then it kicks back in with vocals a minute later. Ripping guitar after 11 minutes. "Ascension" is a pleasnt closer with vocals. Some violin after 3 1/2 minutes.

A long listen for me even if it is under an hour. I hear their next album is better. I'll let you know. Fans only.