*. Elmo Karjalainen .*

Album: Unintelligent Designs (2012)
Genre: Prog Rock (Metal/Exp./Jazz)  /  Finland

Back in the mid-80s I had a musician friend who was an avid fan and collector of solo instrumental guitar albums, or what some would call "muso albums". They were the sort of albums that were advertised in the pages of Guitar Player Magazine and always promised some blinding fret-work from the newest stars of the heavy guitar world, which at the time would have included names like Joe Satriani, Tony MacAlpine, Marty Friedman, Paul Gilbert & Vinnie Moore. Those albums no doubt contained some good music, but their main appeal was always to fellow musicians who could appreciate all the intricacies, techniques and innovations of the guitar playing, more so than just the average rock fan. This debut solo effort from Finnish guitarist Elmo Karjalainen, "Unintelligent Designs", reminded me vaguely of those old "muso albums" - only with a bit more of a prog-metal influence...as well as a dash of quirky humor. I suppose the big question with an album like this is whether or not the artist has the musical chops to pull off an album that is centered mostly around the guitar playing. Well, the answer to that question is a definite "yes". Karjalainen can play, no doubt about that! At times, he's the consummate shredder, displaying impressive speed and precision. At other times can sound quite gentle & melodious, and even travels into a bit of jazz-fusion territory occasionally In fact, the album never stays in any one place for too long, and the 16 featured compositions cover a wide range of tones, colors and styles, from the mellow to the outright headbanging. But I suspect that it's the epic, 9-minute track "Oneself as Another" that will appeal the most to prog-rock/prog-metal fans, featuring some dexterous fret-work, a colorful array of guitar sounds and some snaking twists and turns of rhythm. Another memorable track is "Sanna", featuring some beautiful harmonized dual-guitars and a dreamy, floating feel that should appeal to fans of Camel or Pink Floyd. ...Oh', and I did mention the quirky humor, didn't I? A "Parental Advisory" on the front cover reads "this record contains many tunes that are over 3 minutes long and no singing, and is this totally unsuitable for anyone". After an inviting, new-agey opening to the CD, the second track begins surprisingly in comic cacophony, as if the guitarist has suddenly lost his skills (spoiler: don't worry, he hasn't.) I've also never before experienced an album where the artist's spoken voice breaks-in after a few songs to announce, "Welcome to my CD. It is a pleasure to have you along and I hope you enjoy the ride."...No doubt some people's enjoyment of this CD may depend on just how open they are to some of it's eccentricities, and I've only named a few of them. All in all, I personally found "Unintelligent Designs" to be a pretty enjoyable ride with some intriguing scenery along the way. While it's not the type of album that I would listen to regularly, it could certainly make for an interesting diversion on those occasions when the mood for something just a bit more diverse or quirky strikes. Karjalainen also serves as the guitarist for the popular Finnish heavy metal band Deathlike Sentence (who have enjoyed Top 40 success on Finland's album charts), so fans of metal guitar may want to look into his work there as well. Review by "Jeff Matheus" (http://prognaut.com)

RATING:  7.25 / 10

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*. Anouk .*

Album: Sad Singalong Songs (2013)
Genre: Pop Rock (Folk/Acoustic/Singer Songwriter)  /  Netherlands

The album, recorded entirely with an orchestra, is, like “Birds”, very atmospheric, moody and deep (some mistakenly call this depressing) and marks a departure from Anouk’s usual rock sound, delving further into the direction of soul that started with “Lost”. The usually outgoing and hilarious Dutch singer proves to be, on “Sad Singalong Songs”, a highly sensitive person but also “strong black woman” at the same time. She is the epitome of a woman who takes fate into her own hands, even if this means to put an end to it, like in “Birds”. She is the one who lays down “The Rules”, starting with “Rule number one / There will be no rules.”  In “Only A Mother”, she is the mom of four (yes) who will undoubtedly speak to all women who love their children like only a mother can. And, in “Kill”, she will speak to the scorned woman who ponders the difficult decision whether to kill the adulterous father of her children. After recently discovering or rediscovering Anouk via Eurovision 2013, many, including us, have been tempted to compare her to Adele and Lana Del Rey, because of the flawless live renditions of her songs and her moody, melancholic sound. But the truth of the matter is that the Dutch singer has been around longer than these ladies have been and, for those familiar with the rock star who erupted on the international stage proclaiming she is “Nobody’s Wife”, she is just confirming what we have known all along: Anouk is a powerhouse in her own right and a singular voice to be reckoned with. Granted, the songs on the album are not radio-friendly, but Anouk is a risk-taker who is never afraid to be bold.  Take, for instance, her decision to showcase her videos and to release her new album after the semi-final. And, indeed, to participate in an usually lively song competition with a gloomy track. We applaud Anouk for breaking the rules and the the “Netherlands curse”, bringing her country in the Final after nine years. “Birds” really is a triumph for the Netherlands, as we predicted when we first listened to the song. We’re glad that Anouk’s voice will echo again in the Malmö Arena on Saturday night, particularly because she is Wiwi Jury’s favourite to win the contest. And we promise to sing along! Succes, Nederland! Review by "Bogdan Honciuc" (http://wiwibloggs.com).

RATING:  8.25 / 10   **MARVELLOUS**

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*. Rémi Orts Project & Zara Angel .*

Album: State of Souls (2012/2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Symphonic/New Age/Crossover)  /  France

Here's a very interesting meeting between a new-age rock composer and a spiritual author. Their collaboration produce the most magical world you can imagine. Their music is a mix of Progressive rock music and new-age style. "State Of Souls" takes you on a journey to heart and soul. The lyrics are taking you up and down,in and out from the fiery fires to a peacefull heaven. You will be enchanted and moved, by the waves of love and sadness. There will be simply no escaping of the strong powerfull beats and words this album provides. From the burning souls of war, to the purest paradise, it's time to get in touch with what "State Of Souls" represents ! Do you dare to listen to it ? (www.myspace.com/remiortsproject)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01.Up to the Sky
02.What Did I've Done
03.My Guardian Angel
04.Fire and Ice
05.The Sirens Cry
06.Ghostly Town
07.Just for You
08.The Path
09.I Know You
10.Enlighten
11.The Trident of Poseidon
12.Twinking Stars
13.What Did I've Done (Radio Edit)

Line-up / Musicians
Rémi Orts / guitars, keyboards, drums, bass, programming
Zara Angel / vocals

RATING:  ??????????

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*. A Fil de Ciel .*

Album: A Fil de Ciel (2004)
Genre: Soft Prog Folk (Italian Folk/Acoustic)  /  Italy

The pure air of the Occitanian valleys on the French border of Italy pervades the music of this new Piedmontese band. Their debut album blends traditional and modern sounds, making a new contribution to the native music from this strip of Europe tucked between Italy and France. Special guest Riccardo Tesi adds his two-row melodeon. (www.cdroots.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing
01.Quand lo boier
02.Oltre le mura
03.Saltarello
04.Nové grassenc / Strumentale I
05.Marche du roi René
06.L'estaca / Strumentale II
07.Venetz embe ieu
08.Sicut lupi / Strumentale III
09.Lhi carn marinas / Coda
10.L'estrange deluge / Strumentale IV

Line-up / Musicians
Davide Arneodo / violin, mandolin, glockenspiel, djembe, cajon
Gabriella Brun / Hurdy-gurdy, diatonic accordion, recorders
Roberto Fresia / keyboards, diatonic accordion
Marco Lovera / bagpipes, pipe, tambourine
Rosella Pellerino / vocals
with:
Riccardo Tesi / diatonic accordion (Track's 8 & 9)

RATING:  7.25 / 10

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*. Pre-Med .*

Album: The Truth About US (2008)
Genre: Psychedelic Space Rock (Exp.)  /  UK

My it seems every week at the moment there's at least one release if not more that Alan Davey is involved in. (ex Hawkwind) I think I've bought 10 albums he's played on released in the last 6 months! Anyhow this is surprisingly one of the best. This is his collaboration with Danny Faulkner on which he does bass, keys and produces. Far better than Medication Time their previous effort both the, keyboards, instrumental sections and production are one notch up from the debut while still having room for improvement and the songwriting/lyrics are 2 notches up. Danny has a rather non-descript limited, but not unpleasant voice and the whole album hangs together great. One of the better albums so far this year without question. They even managed a decent cover of Hawkwind's "Demented Man". Review by "hawkfanatic" (Rate Your Music).

RATING:  7.75 / 10

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*. Komu Vnyz (Кому Вниз) .*

Album: Padaya vverh (Падая Вверх) (1989)(Reissue 2003)
Genre: Prog Rock (Gothic/Industrial/Art Rock/Folk/Symphonic)  /  Ukraine

Songs / Tracks Listing
01.Песня о мире
02.Для тех, кому вниз
03.Работа
04.Тихо в горах
05.Вши
06.Хибрай
07.Болеро
08.Падая вверх
09.Улица чужих лиц

Line-up / Musicians
Андрій Середа / keyboards, vocals
Владислав Малюгін / guitar
Сергій Степаненко / bass
Владислав Макаров / lead guitar
Євген Разін / drums

RATING:  8.25 / 10   **GREAT**

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*. Pepe Maina .*

Album: Snow (2013)
Genre: Prog Rock (Electronic/Ambient/Folk)  /  Italy

Having spent a good deal of the colder months in some kind of unwelcoming embryonic state, I have done the very thing I promised myself never ever to do again: become my own martyr - continuing to drive myself into the ground like a stubborn mole with all the wrong agendas. The failure of love and too much on my plate did have something to do with all of this, but I've always thought of life as something that happens when one is busy contemplating it. It's never about destiny, but rather what river you choose to swim down. Now, how does all this correlate with Pepe Maina's most recent album Snow - you may well be thinking to yourselves by now? Well, for one, I've always been of the opinion that music can be everything under the sun. It can be terrorizing, huge, frail, beautiful, pelting, soothing, aggravating and just about any connotation one wishes to apply to it. In my warped mindset of late - Pepe's music became a shining beacon of light that helped me climb out of the blackness, I myself, had submersed into. Through velvety synthesisers, wonderfully melodic and slightly naive guitar strummings, intimate percussive ornamentations - like small ant armies on the prowl, Snow washes over you like a soaring gown of subtle beauty. It's like watching Marilyn Monroe in that old movie, where her dress defies gravity and swoops up over her waist, only in slow motion and in an infinitely more surreal setting......... In many ways, the music found within Snow is very similar to the prog electronic tradition of the Berlin School, yet it's also heavily rooted in a wonderful almost ambient folk music with shoals of melody lines and other such trades you have to search long and hard to encounter in one of those Germanic flavoured records. Talk about contradictory terms, yet with Pepe everything flows. Contrary to Pepe's first outing, this one comes across far more smooth and satin like. Like stroking a black labrador gently gently..... If you can imagine the floating elegant universe of Jade Warrior cobbled together with the melodic and intimate folk aspirations of Mike Oldfield - and then add to that a somewhat ethereally boosted ambient power that feels like a warm glacier - then you're not entirely off what Pepe is all about. This music is about a deep devotion to nature, watching trees change with the seasons, walking alone through wheat fields having large flocks of birds ascend from all around you like feathered volcanic eruptions. I use this album for meditation - I use it to calm myself when the world seems like a cruel and heartless place. It's about musical transcendence and what you can achieve just by lending an ear to music. Never forget the power of sonorous patterns with heart and soul people! Never forget. I was lucky enough to receive this album directly from the horse's mouth, after he'd read my earlier review of his debut album. He felt like I had 'understood' the music, and to me personally, that goes beyond anything I could ever dream of in terms of salary, praise or whatever. I was truly filled with joy - and even more so, when he decided to send me copies of his most recent musical endeavours. Pepe Maina is all about the music. There's no safety net for him. Like he said in a mail to me - this is indeed the only thing he can do, and frankly speaking, that's something which touched me deeply. Here's a man who's been releasing albums (a lot of them actually!) since the tail end of the 70s, with little or no praise from the surrounding world - and still he proceeds to do what he knows and loves. Sure he's an independent musician, who ever since his second outing has released all of his output through his own label NonSense, but the single most important piece of information I got from his mail, was a clear cut fiery and no nonsense attitude towards music. He lives to make music and he does so from the inner most holy place of his being, and that is something I personally love about him and his work. It literally jumps through the speakers! With the album entitled Snow, you do get a certain whiff of white frosty surfaces and images of wintery landscapes, but with the omnipresent warmth of the acoustic instruments, you get a counter-pointing effect that mimics the very essence of the Italian winter. Snow-capped mountains with floral bursts of colour in the valleys below - two outer extremes holding hands all through the centuries. It's like the incorporation of a person walking through the crackling snow during this album, and then eventually being bathed in shimmering synthesisers and joyful guitar segments, - with Pepe the music is never one sided. It's diverse and yet wholly cohesive in the way that you never get distracted from the picturesque music's intentions, which is to give to you a dreamy, colourful and transcendent voyage into the soul of one of the most overlooked musicians from the Italian scene. Recommended to anybody with a penchant for RPI, folk, Jade Warrior, Mike Oldfield, or just wishes to be lead wonderfully astray through music that quite literally exudes spirituality and 'feel'. Some of this is indeed as shiny and bright as a quivering laser-beam shot through an exploding sapphire. It's all right there. This is for you Pepe. Thank you for the music, it literally pulled me out of a self constructed prison of the mind, and for that I am truly grateful. Review by "Guldbamsen" (Prog Archives).

RATING:  7.25 / 10

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