|
Artist: Eloy |
|
|
I have to admit when I first heard about this album I was reluctant to review it as it was being hailed as a "Progressive" rock album, as I'm not overly keen on a lot of the progressive rock albums we're sent. However, I decided to check the band's MySpace site out and was pleasantly surprised by what I heard, so much so that my opinion of how this band might sound flipped and I suddenly couldn't wait to hear the album in all it's entirety. 'Visionary' is quite simply an aural delight and although the album only contains 7 songs, these 7 songs are pure magic and are sure to delight a wider range of fans than all the "progressive" rock devotees we have out there. Lead singer Frank Bornemann has a voice not too far off from Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull fame and as a big Tull fan this is something that really made these songs appeal to me. Opening track 'The Refuge' showcases these similarities in both vocalists and song structure beautifully. The winding path the song takes backed by the enticing tones of the renaissance flute, which invite you to journey along with the storyteller, really were, pardon the pun, music to my ears. 'The Secret' sneaks in and out of Pink Floyd's 'Division Bell' album whilst also reminding me of the great Mike Oldfield for some reason. A much slower and moodier track than 'The Refuge' but with a richness and colour that enchants and delights the listener. 'Age Of Insanity' features a haunting keyboards on this almost folk/rockish song. Quite driving in nature and almost 70's in style, one for the old school Hawkwind fans. I'd imagine this would have the fans dancing along in the fields if performed live at a Summer festival, such is it's seductive almost psychedelic mood. The guitar work on this song worked particularly well at bringing the song back up to more modern times. Already we're at the half way point of the album with 'The Challenge', which has a slower pace than the last track. You can almost smell the incense and tie-dyed t-shirts with this one, although the modern keyboard sound and the choral element keep this very much in the now. The addition of the female vocals drifting in and out of the song add new dimension that lifts it up to a higher level of aural pleasure. Again I keep thinking of Mike Oldfield while listening to this song, although I couldn't for the life of me tell you why, maybe it's the female vocals, maybe it's the guitars, or maybe it's just because this song sounds so damn good! 'Summernight Symphony' slides out of the speakers like liquid gold. Who needs magic mushrooms and strange brews when you have a song like this that can take you to another dimension of consciousness. I couldn't recommend too highly how much this song is just perfect to listen to after a long hard day at work. Just turn down the lights, throw off the woes of the day and pour yourself a glass of your favourite malt. Pop this song on and close your eyes, then like sunshine on the beach, let the music wash-over you and cleanse your mind and soul. Simply divine, I'm in heaven. The album comes to a close with the final two songs in the shape of 'Mystery', which is part 2 of 'The Secret' from earlier in the album, and 'Thoughts', a gentle almost Bob Dylanesque end to the album. I may not
have been familiar with the band Eloy and their legendary status in
their homeland of Germany, however, after hearing this new album, I will
most certainly be going out of my way to check out some of their other
material. The world of folk rock needs more bands like Eloy and I
guess so does the world of progressive rock because next time I hear the
tag "progressive" I won't be so quick to shy away from
it. |
|
|
Tracklisting: 1.
The Refuge
|
|
|
All content copyright of The Mayfair Mall Zine unless otherwise stated. |
|