I go into this review really liking Abel Ganz and, frankly, the people behind the band. My wife and I may be the only two Americans that have seen the band twice.
Denis, when sending me this album, warned me it was much different than their previous albums. He was right. Not only is it different from previous albums, but each song also differs from its predecessor.
Still, it’s a well crafted effort that is cohesive and intoxicating. This is a diverse album that may take a few more listens than other albums before you know how much you really like it.
Because the album is so diverse, I am sure that everyone will have a different favorite song, which is also indicative of a great album. For me Sepia and White is my favorite. It’s as good as any anthem I have heard.
The Title track opens that album and embodies everything I like about the band. I really enjoy the brass work at the end of the track.
The second track, One Small Soul, is the single and is the wonderful melody that I have come to expect in my favorite progressive rock. Jack Webb’s keyboards at times sound like they were pulled straight out of a Bruce Hornsby album.
Arran Shores is a short instrumental piece which is a good segway to the second half of the album. This is where I think the differences in this album are shown, because frankly, up to this point it didn’t sound that different from previous releases, but that might just be ignorance on my part as I do not play an instrument.
Denis is a secret weapon behind the mic as he embodies the soulful aspects of Peter Gabriel on The Light Shines.
This rating is indicative of a band I would like to fly into Chicago for a show. I hope they take me up on it.
