Moongarden - Songs From The Lighthouse

Year of Release: 2008
Label: ProgRock Records
Catalog Number: PRR430
Format: CD
Total Time: 71:06:00

Moongarden is not a band that releases lots of albums. It is more like one every four years. The last one, Round Midnight, dates back to 2004 and this was my first encounter with this Italian band. Back then I was pretty charmed of them, so I was quite curious if the new album, Songs From The Lighthouse, would have the same effect on me. It should be noted a new guitar player and vocalist have joined the band.

Well, I have been playing Songs From The Lighthouse quite a lot and I have to be honest: I am in two minds about it. In general it is a great prog album, with some dark moods and some old fashioned prog songs. But it also has a few songs that stand out as strange on the album, and I am not that keen on the new singer.

"Emotionaut" and "Southampton Railroad" should have stayed off this album, in my opinion. And I have to agree with a much heard criticism on the singer: the last and title song is terrible vocal wise. But I also feel that way on the duet with Andy Tillison (The Tangent), "That Child."

The rest of the album is simply great, musically and reasonably vocals-wise. "Solaris" is the best song on the album, with that great Gilmourish guitar solo. But I also love "Sonya In Search Of The Moon 4," mainly because of the tasty keyboards. And "My Darkside" is truly a dark song and a great opener.

As I said, I have a hard time making up my mind about this album. So as to the question: would I buy this album, I cannot say "yes" immediately. Generally it is a great album, but the vocals kinda spoil it for me. I might buy it, if I had money to spend. But it would not be my first choice.

Tracklisting:
My Darkside (7:26) / It's You (7:04) / Solaris ? Part I, II, III, IV (13:00) / Emotionaut (3:55) / That Child (5:52) / Flesh (2:49) / Dreamlord (11:30) / Southampton Railroad (4:11) / Sonya In Search Of The Moon Part V (5:47) / The Lighthouse Song (9:32)

Musicians:
Cristiano Roversi - keyboards, Chapman Stick
Mirko Tagliasacchi - bass
Simone Baldini Tosi - vocals, guitars
Maurizio Di Tollo - drums
Marco Tafellu - guitars, violin

Discography:
Moonsadness (1995)
Brainstorm Of Emptyness (1996)
The Gates Of Omega (2001)
Round Midnight (2004)
Songs From The Lighthouse (2008)
A Vulgar Display Of Prog (2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin IT

Added: August 19th 2008
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.myspace.com/moongardenband
Hits: 3795
Language: english