| Band
Members: |
David Cremoni
/ 6 & 12 strings acoustic guitars, 6 & 7 strings electric guitars
|
Luca Palleschi
/ lead vocals |
| |
Cristiano
Roversi / electric pianos, Hammond organ, Mellotron, Moog, analog
keyboards, ambient loops, Chapman grand Stick (1) |
Mirko Tagliasacchi
/ bass |
| |
Massimiliano
Sorrentini / drums & samples |
Massimo Menotti
/ ambient electric guitar loops (7) |
| |
Marco Remondini
/ cello (5) |
Giorgio Signoretti
/ electric guitars background solo (3) |
| |
Francesca
Leasi / oboe (5) |
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| Track
Listing: |
1.)-'RoundMidnight'
(7:48) |
8.)-Nightmade Concrete
(5:42) |
| |
2.)- Wounded (7:25) |
9.)- Oh, by the Way, we're so
Many in this City and so Dawn Alone (1:54) |
| |
3.)- Killing the Angel
(4:53) |
|
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4.)- Lucifero (6:36)
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5.)- Slowmotion Streets
(5:47) |
|
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6.)-Learning to live Under the
Ground (10:24) |
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7.)-Coda: Psychedelic Subway Ride
(1:56) |
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| The
Review |
Moongarden started off as a somewhat typical neo-prog
outfit that had strong Genesis ties. They had a mediocre vocalist,
but put out 2 decent albums in that style. On "Gates of Omega",
a 2 cd release with much longer songs, they moved into a more
sample heavy and post-rock direction while still retaining
their progressive roots. They also acquired a new singer who
was MUCH better than the first one. This album continues further
in the post-rock influenced progressive direction, with good
results. *****
Round Midnight has traditional prog keyboards (mellotron
may be sampled, not sure), with some beats thrown in along
with the drums. Reminds me slightly of the direction the Gathering
has gone but without the female vocals and more of a prog
quotient. The interesting thing about this album is the melodies.
I find myself thinking a song will go a certain way - and
then the band tricks me and the melody goes in an unexpected
direction. Sometimes the melodies take some serious listening
to fully appreciate, and some songs take quite a while. This
is not an album for an impatient listener. A lot of this album
is very laid back with reverb-laden keyboard sounds, mellotron
backdrops, and acoustic guitar lines flowing over slow beats.
The band will erupt, however, at appropriate moments, as in
"Lucifero" around 3:45 when some serious evil mellotron and
guitar leads take over, engulfing you. Very nice moog towards
the end of Nightmade Concrete. *****
Problems: the album tends to sound the same all the way
through and again - takes a while to appreciate. Maybe more
dynamics would improve this band - but overall a solid release.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
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