THE VIEW INSIDE

1. Blackthoughts aerial, crystalline intro, piano and Ludovic with his grainy, captivating voice, oh a warm guitar tune from behind the fagots, not bad guy! 2. Tumble Down / Faerie Lights percussion and congas, clarinet, well there's no doubt a group that holds the limelight with it; well TOTO arrives immediately as a reminiscence but not only; a pop sound with sounds on KANSAS, violin oblige and ALAN PARSONS, a good juice which breaks with choirs and this clarinet at the start, progressive 3. Tie Breaker for the interlude which amazed me with this sound which could be taken from the soundtrack of 'Subway' or from a title from the Archangel, yes I dare the comparison; a rhythm that moves you with well- calibrated instrumentation; it's daring but it's at this price that we can sometimes create a buzz, even a few years later; Well 'Sledgehammer' just has to behave! 4. Nobody Answers ballad with Irish flute in the distance, a nursery rhyme that throws a duduk to melt; the solemn break before starting again with traditional and Totoesque mix sounds, yes if Ludovic is part of a tribute it is not for nothing too 5. The View Inside piano intro again, a clearer, less sad variation of the opening title but with Ludovic who shows that the voice can be very important in a group, here it is the case; sentimental melody which deals with the fight from innocence to madness and ultimately to transcendence, quite a thing; warm gospel choirs and organ of the time to keep the musical flame alive, warm and lively to merge Love with Friendship; a last guitar solo which could have been longer because sending out watts and 6. Flashback arrives, a pop-rock title marking the caliber of the favorite group; the flowing guitar solo intensifies the resemblance, even if I always speak of a reminiscence... of a flashback we agree; the solo is heavy for a while, strumming hard before leaving on a more melodic, languorous basis;

7. Dream Seller funky title with this invasive brass section, closer to Tambu and Kingdom of Desire; groovy, choirs, funky and a tune that reminds me of what COLLINS did personally; well still struggling with it, the marshmallow chorus is cool as well as the guitar solo poum poum poum poum. 8. Keep in Touch latent monolithic, ambient intro and a riff, ah the tune on the fundamental Kashmir, yes I like to dissect; like an American rap verse with violins, amazing; tribal percussions disorient the listener even more; 9. Paradox continues, a hard riff on a new-wave pop tune, hilarious I tell you! a neo-classical orchestration, choirs and we start on a crescendo which smells of melodic prog, always with a catchy air, and which implies a chronicle yes here; in short at the end I have the impression of being on a hard track 10. Blackout and the return of the duduk for the progressive interlude as desired, majestic, not rather solemn 11. From the Ground with its sunny bass concludes this colorful album; Andalusian air or almost, the symphonic rock, pop, AOR title which flourishes here with the presence of a great group from the 80s and which allows for a small regression at a lower cost; solo melting like a lump of butter, it's simple and beautiful and sometimes it's more than enough.... Bucolic album in fact.

Frenchman Ludovic Briand presents us with his second collaborative effort with piano/keyboard virtuoso Julien Boursin--again based on the spiritual journey of one fictional protagonist named "Walter."

1. "Passage" (2:12) (4.25/5) 2. "Bad Neighborhood" (5:53) (8.66667/10) 3. "Stuck Under" (4:57) (8.6667/10) 4. "Son Of Someone" (4:43) (8.6667/10) 5. "The End Of Me" (6:17) one of the better songs on the album. (8.75/10) 6. "I'm Not Supposed To Be Here" (5:12) a song that reminds me of one of PETER JONES' collaborations with the late great COLIN TENCH ? or something by a high-quality Christian Rock band (Jars of Clay or Neal Morse). (8.75/10) 7. "Unvirtual Reality" (4:57) a very solid album-oriented prog rock. A top three song. (8.75/10) 8. "Pleased To Meet Me" (5:37) sounds like a Christian Rock variation of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes."(8.6667/10) 9. "Father Of The Future" (3:40) a Toto/Guy Manning song? (8.5/10) 10. "Mother Of Silence" (2:19) (4.375/5) 11. "Work Of Art" (4:56) (8.5/10) 12. "Portal" (4:42) an average song that is lit by some flashy instrumental performances. (8.75/10)

Total time 55:25

Excellent musicianship throughout an album of somewhat dull or lackluster old-style "classic rock"-style songs. I'm reminded more of Foreigner, Styx, Toto, Ambrosia, or Journey than any artist in Prog World (except for maybe Guy Manning and some of Peter Jones' songs). I really admire and enjoy the interplay of the technically skilled leaders of the band: both Julien and Ludovic are masters of their instruments. Ig uess I'm not much of a fan of the lead vocals--or their lyrics (which, I swear, sound as if they come from a Christian Rock album)--which remind me a lot of both Peter Jones and Guy Manning. I understand being so inspired by one's spiritual path as to want to write songs about it (something Jon Anderson and Van Morrison have made careers doing), but sometimes it just feels too sappy or syrupy (for my ears)--or preachy for my tastes. I am happy for Ludovic and his growth and experience, and I wish him all the best for continued progress, I'm just not sure the medium or style he has chosen is the best fit.

B-/3.5 stars; an album of solid musicianship and excellent, if familiar, compositions that many prog lovers are going to find wondrous and rewarding--rated up for the excellent instrumental interplay from its seasoned veterans.