STILL THE WATERS

I am not a big fan of symphonic prog (and never was), but I really like some ELP and Kansas works. And I have warm feelings to early ELO works till now. Not very big list, so I believe my opinion on this album is more like "a look from outside".

From very first listening I noticed some strong side and some weak side of this work. And, possibly, it is good sign, because both of them are almost on the surface.

Let start from what is not very succeeded in my opinion. Musicianship is nice, but at the demo level. I know, that it's one man's band, so this instrumental quality is easy understandable. But I believe ,it could be seriously improved using some team of skilled musicians instead of multi layers. And if guitar sounds are often attractive, drumming is the weak point.

Another moment, which needs serious improvement, is energetic level. Before I listened this album, I was attracted when read that this music is influenced by Kansas, between others. But I really missed this level of energy! I believe, that a bit faster tempo and competent rhythm section could make serious improvement there in this sound! Vocals is average, but all sound needs better production.

Now about positive moments. There are great compositions, really nice musical material! Even if in some moments this side of the work is somewhere under skin, every listener can easy feel this potential.

Overall, I can think about this album as about demo debut, demonstrating musician potential. I believe that such kind of material, but performed with team of competent musicians and professionally recorded and mixed could become really attractive musical work.

About 2,5 (rounded to 3)