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On their previous 3 studio-albums The Sixth Sense (2006)
and Chinese Songs Part I and II (both released in 2007)
I noticed that Little Tragedies their compositions sound
more elaborate and varied. Listening to this new album (December
2008) I am delighted about the great tension between the
bombastic and mellow songs, the inventive arrangements and
the excellent work on keyboards and guitar, these musicians
know how to keep my attention!
1. Cross: This CD (running time 62 minutes) starts
with the long titletrack, what an exciting experience: ultra-bombastic
atmospheres with sensational synthesizer flights, flowing
guitarwork, powerful Hammond waves, a very propulsive and
dynamic rhythm-section and awesome interplay.
2. Autumn (4:57) : After a warm classical guitar intro,
the climate turns into mellow featuring soaring Hammond
organ, soft synthesizer runs and almost whispering Russian
vocals, what a contrast with the first song!
3. Lakes (4:13) : A dreamy atmosphere with wonderful
interplay between keyboards and sensitive electric guitar,
halfway a break with a bass solo (accompanied by tender
piano) and in the end pleasant work on the clarinet.
4. Old Abbey (7:32) : A very varied composition: an
intro with delicate interplay between harpsichord and synthesizers,
then a slow rhtyhm that turns into bombastic with exciting
synthesizer flights and finally a dreamy climate with acoustic
guitar, warm vocals and moving guitar runs.
5. Portrait of a Man (3:46) : The flamenco guitar intro
strongly evokes Spanish Caravan by The Doors to me, then
a mellow atmosphere that is beautifully coloured by clarinet,
vocals and howling electric guitar.
6. Tanets (4:28) : A cheerful song that reminds me of
Seventies Mike Oldfield with a wide range of instruments,
including a swirling Hammond organ solo.
7. The Voice of Silence (19:10) : This epic composition
delivers lots of spectacular bombastic parts with dazzling
synthesizer runs, ELP inspired Hammond work and exciting
interplay between guitar and keyboards. Very subtle sn the
blend of flamenco rhythm guitar in some parts, it gives
a special flavor to the music.
8. Eagle (6:42) : After a spacey intro, we can enjoy
wonderful interplay between piano and Hammond organ, topped
by moving electric guitar, what a tension and what a contrast
with the bombastic part of this stunning Russian progrock
formation!
9. Hippopotamus (2:48) : Again great interplay between
guitar and keyboards along a pleasant intro with clarinet
and vocals and a final part with a spectacular synthesizer
solo, what a virtuoso! - This is a topnotch progrock formation
that started as a kind of “ELP meets Ayreon” but gradually
Little Tragedies developped a more varied and inventive
sound, in my opinion this is their most mature album, highly
recommended!
www.progwalhalla.com
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