Luminos - Seize The Day

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Market Square Records
Catalog Number: MSMCD115
Format: CD
Total Time: 47:21:00

For whatever reason, I?ve never been a big fan of neo-prog, even though I?ve always liked the music and do harbor a certain affection for Pallas. That said, I have noticed that neo-prog does appear to be (re)gaining a bit of momentum in the 21st century, thanks to mainstay groups like Jadis and newcomers like Luminos, making their debut with Seize The Day.

Luminos, like most neo-proggers, hail from England and, appropriately, Seize The Day can only be described as absolutely English. The furiously technical bombast of American prog is nowhere to be found; rather, Luminos stay true to their roots, playing straight-forward progressive rock that features clear vocal harmonies and clean guitar arrangements, and relegates keyboards to a minor background role. Influences pop up everywhere, almost too numerous to mention; the Celtic folk feel is virtually omnipresent, and the emphasis on guitars reveal touches of Camel, Caravan, Wishbone Ash (yeah, I said it!), and Rush (particularly on ?It?s Your Turn To Fly? which lifts a chord progression right out of Rush?s ?Kid Gloves.") Further, the vocal arrangements reveal an affection for 60?s-70?s rock, ranging from Jefferson Airplane to the Beatles to Pink Floyd. American AOR gets a nod, too, in ?The Voyage (Ocean Freedom)? a medium-paced rock ballad that features some fine saxophone-lead guitar interplay over a lightly-picked guitar figure.

Tying it all together, Luminos have forged a unique style that vaguely refers to Marillion, perhaps because guitarists Neville Dean and Lee Williams echo the melodic stylings of Steve Rothery in certain stretches, but ultimately sounds nothing like the neo-stalwarts. Instead, with the likeable Seize The Day, Luminos have made a good first step towards establishing their own place in the neo-prog pantheon.

Tracklisting:
Inner Self (6:44) / A Small Boy, A Bird In History (4:10) / Echoes In A Lonely City (3:58) / If Only For A While (5:33) / It's Your Turn To Fly (7:22) / The Voyage (Ocean Freedom) (6:07) / Living On The Edge Of Time (4:47) / Angel (3:51) / Always In My Heart (4:49)

Musicians:
Neville Dean - vocals, electric guitars, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, keyboards
Anni Meehan - vocals
Lee Williams - electric guitars
William Sargintson - drums

Guests :

Andy Brush - saxophone
Jenny Burns - flute
Graham Lions - drums

Discography:
Seize The Day (2003)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: August 3rd 2003
Reviewer: David Cisco
Score:
Artist website:
Hits: 2487
Language: english