*. Midas .*

Album: Midas II (1996)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic Prog)  /  Japan

Since this is the first review of this album, I would like to endorse what Bob Moore (ClemofNazareth) wrote about Midas in the band presentation. His words very much describe this album. So if the band presentation made you interested in this band; this is an album you should check out. On this album, Midas combines classical music and Celtic type folk music with the likes of THE NICE, ELP, GENESIS and in particular YES. Maybe that sounds a bit familiar and so what ? to you. But then let me add that everything on this album is drenched and layered in an Eastern soundscape and this album becomes a original piece of music. The electric violin is everywhere and is supported by superb keyboards. The vocals are in Japanese and a bit weak in my opinion. But I am starting to get used to the thin Japanese vocals now and it seems like this is the normal type of vocals over there. So instead of critizise them, I should rather call them untraditional to my ears. The song structures are both complex and simple at the same time. Yes, they do follow the typical YES formula for songs. That means many layers of melodies and riffs. But Midas also brings the music down to earth with some flirtation with easy listening classical music and in one instance; Celtic folk music. But mostly; the music is pretty hardcore symphonic prog. The songs are not particular long (average six minutes long) and that is my gripe with this album. I wish Midas could had written some longer songs on this album because they have all the abilities of the likes of YES. The musicianship here is superb. The music is good. Unfortunate, the music is a bit anonyme at places. I have problems with the vocals due to reasons mentioned above. But I still like this album a lot. I think is has a lot of promise and I will keep it in my prog rock cellar like I keep good wine in my cellar. I incidently store prog rock albums like these together with the fine wine I buy. I guess I will pick this album out again when I opens some nice bottles of Chardonnay. Albums like these never fades away. They just taste better with the age. Roll on the rocking chair, some nice mature wine and this album. 
Review by "toroddfuglesteg" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  8 / 10

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