| The
Review |
Belgian prog band MindGames album 'ACTORS IN A PLAY'
is, I believe, their second album or so, and pretty much play
in a well-covered field. Actors In A Play is hardly a work
of originality, and you've probably heard this sort of 70's
prog-worship before: they play on the retro/symphonic side
of the Neo genre, and I suppose are comparable to second tier
prog bands like Deyss, Red Sand, Collage, and the like. Nor
is this unpleasant either, and these six tracks should please
any listener who gently caresses their 70's prog record collection
with a nostalgic tear in their eye. Instrumental sections
are tried-and-true prog arrangements which are pleasant enough,
though the vocals are an aquired taste, and come off weird
at times. And as expected, the usual jester/chess/puppets
imagery. I wouldn't be suprised if these guys dressed up as
harlequins and stuff on stage. And if you're a subscriber
to the idea that 'long-is-better', you can rest assure that
Mind Games are allergic to songs that aren't 10 or 14 minute
long epics. Here, there is only one track under 7 minutes
in length.***
The trax:
BENEFIT OF ANXIETY: the usual expected album opener from
such an album- lengthy, multi-sectioned, pretty much sums
up what you'll hear from this point onward on the rest of
the disc. Nice Pendragon-like chorus.***
DRAMATIS PERSONA: the obligatory 'circus/jester/puppets,
etc.' imagery opens this one, with some whimsical keyboards
and spoken narraration. The song section reminds me of the
earliest Pallas, probably the chorus. This is probably the
best track on the disc, which works best as a song, with decent
sections.***
STATUE: timeless church organ intro before the proper
song section. Here the bass and drums step up a little more.
Vocals sound a bit odd, the way the singer sings real fast
and sped up. You may wonder if he's on helium or if your cd
player is on the fritz, but no it's just the vocals like that.
Strange. Nice instrumental passage afterward though.***
SAGITTARIUS: acoustic passages for this one with some
slight Yes harmony and some flute sounds as well. This is
both the ballad of the album and the shortest track at 6+
minutes.***
ROYALTY IN JEOPARDY: tales of kings and the like for
this more epic track. Here the vocals go back into 'drama'-mode,
but I can also imagine Nick Barrett singing this, so I can
work with it. The expected march-like rhythm section and keyboard
sounds ensue.***
BOTH SIDES OF THE SHOW: really, more of the same. Piano
intro, followed by more neo arrangements including a sprightly
jig section, organ, and maybe a Beatles-like bouncy section
as well. Plenty of what you'd expect.***
Add 'ACTORS IN A PLAY' to your collection if you want
some not too original but pleasant, if unthreatening, prog
rock.***
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