ERPLAND

This record is space progressive rock. It contains many interstellar dreamy keyboards, bubble sounds effects, and well crafted electric guitar solos. "Erpland" is not their best album, but certainly not their worst one: it is seen by the majority as a major work in the progressive world of the 90's. Obviously, any comparison intention automatically brings out Gong and Steve Hillage. "Erpland" has many exotic passages, often having a Middle Eastern style. There are also many excellent flutes, acoustic percussions and acoustic guitar parts; some bits remind me Peter Gadriel's "Passion" album. It is still too soon here to consider their sound quality and the refinement of their atmospheric textures at their best. The drums are absolutely varied and refined. Those musicians are so talented and versatile that they even produced a good reggae track: "Iscence"! Compared to "Strangeitude", "Erpland" is more constant: globally the tracks are better. Compared to "Jurassic shift", the keyboards and electric guitars here are more timid, less colorful and atmospheric; the tracks are also less catchy than on "Jurassic shift".

Rating: 4.5 stars