EMERALD

'The Reverse Side of Mosquito's Battle' opens the album powerfully. In one moment I think of KAYAK (the piano is central), the next moment it could be 10cc or some American hard rock act from the late 70's, everything mixed together in a fluent manner. At first you'd think that 'Losing You' was a tender pop ballad with piano and vocals in its centre, but quite soon there's a dynamic prog edge with slightly metallic electric guitar playing. 'Libra Birthday Girl' is a pleasant, melodic song and features a strong Beatlesque element in a Kayak-like soft-prog environment. I like the clean vocals and vocal harmonies (Tom is backed by both guitarists) that go from poppy tenderness comparable to e.g. Chris Rainbow (The Alan Parsons Project) or MOON SAFARI to more powerful expression at ease.

After a four-part suite of 12 minutes (described in an earlier review) comes 'Sara' that stays in the serene ballad mood, with a simple and elegant arrangement focusing on piano and acoustic guitar. 'No Straight Story' is a rather two-faced piece, changing from melancholic mellowness to a muscular hard rock approach I'm not fond of, except for a fine guitar solo. Similar contrasts colour much of the album, which is both its strength and its burden. Occasionally everything turns out a bit too pretentious, losing the focus from the solid song-writing, and I certainly could do with less of the metal ingredients. Nevertheless, I'm willing to rate this charming and brave album favourably. The musicianship and production are very good, and the melodies are really beautiful and sophisticated at their best. If you like the referred bands, there's a lot to enjoy in this 58-minute album.

Emerald combined the sensibilities of energetic Neo Prog with the power of electric riffs, producing good arrangements split between melodic, dynamic and more adventurous ideas.They are kind of close to compatriots KNIGHT AREA or Swedish HASSE FROBERG & MUSICAL COMPANION minus the strong vintage references, with clean vocals and well-captured singing lines surrounded by atmospheric keyboards and lots of piano parts.Of course the album's great power comes from the presence of the two guitarists and their tendency towards hard lead runs and edgy solos.But the long tracks are very interesting with a fine balance between poppy voices, Classical-influenced piano interludes with a RICK WAKEMAN touch and in-your-face guitar moves, eventually evolving from symphonic themes to Hard Prog and laid-back textures.There are a couple of ballads, which appear to be closer to IZZ with slight THE BEATLES' undertones, and a pair of rockers with magnificent guitar work, filled with energy and passion.''Insubstantial liberation'' and the 2-part ''Politician'' are the best examples of Emerald's musical depth and varied inspiration sources, these tracks even feature some organ and samples Mellotron and contain music somewhere between URIAH HEEP, RICK WAKEMAN and MARILLION, executed via rich and emphatic arrangements with lots of different segments.

After the members graduated from the academy Emerald ceased to exist.Zielhorst became a member of the legendary Tech Metal band Cynic and even joined Dutch Progressive Metallers Exivious, Ruud de Boer joined the Atmospheric Rock/Metal band Trisomy, while David van den Bogaard became mostly involved in musicals and theater plays.

One-shot Dutch Prog album with a nice combination of accesible and multi-influenced Prog Rock.Enjoyable and energetic material, that comes warmly recommended.

"The Reverse Side Of Mosquito's Battle" opens with drums before a full sound takes over quickly. It settles with piano and vocals a minute in. It kicks back in as contrasts continue. Nice guitar 2 minutes in and he offers up a blistering solo after 4 1/2 minutes. I really like the vocalist who comes off sounding like the singer for VIOLETO DE OUTONO or early Gilmour. "Losin You" opens with piano before fragile vocals join in. A fuller sound after a minute. Tasteful guitar comes in and solos. The tempo picks up 2 minutes in. Great sound here. Incredible ! Passionate vocals follow. Great lyrics on this one as well. "Libra Birthday Girl" is a song i like a lot. It's fairly slow paced with those FLOYD-like vocals.The tempo picks up 1 1/2 minutes in and the keyboards are prominant. It settles again. Such a feel good track. Contrasts continue.

"Insubstantial Liberation" is an over 12 minute tune that's divided into four parts. Piano to open and we get some atmosphere too. The tempo picks up 1 1/2 minutes in as vocals and piano lead the way. It kicks in before 2 1/2 minutes. So moving. Guitar 3 minutes in. It becomes spacey after 4 1/2 minutes then the vocals return. Nice and relaxed here. Here we go before 7 minutes as it kicks in. Piano and bass only after 7 1/2 minutes then it kicks back in. The guitar sounds amazing 10 minutes in and it all sounds incredible when the vocals return a minute later. "Sara" opens with piano as those VIOLETO DE OUTONO-like vocals join in. So good. Acoustic guitar also joins in. "No Straight Story" is melancholic with bass, drums and vocals to start. It kicks in after 2 minutes. Great sound ! It settles 3 minutes in as the guitar cries out. It becomes more powerful as the guitar continues. The tempo picks up and organ then vocals join in. "Politician" opens with vocals and piano, it gets fuller after a minute. Contrasts continue. Organ 4 minutes in as the tempo picks up. The guitar comes in riding the wave. Killer organ and guitar to the end. "After Trial" features those great vocals once again this time with acoustic guitar and bass. It picks up after a minute. Guitar at 2 1/2 minutes is almost metal-like. It settles again as contrasts continue. "Emerald" opens with drums, piano and synths as vocals come in. A great tune to end the album with. Love the guitar late.

A really good album considering how this all came about.