I looked up this band and apparently they're sort of poppy prog, or sort of proggy pop. This album seems quite well liked in some circles, but I can't say I've ever heard any mention of neither the album, not the band.
After a couple listens, I'm afraid that what characterizes this album first and foremost to me, is how sweet, soft and sentimental it is. It's got absolutely all edges filed off entirely and comes off as saccarine and naive as an Enya record. In particular the vocalist strengthens this expression, with his soft, breaty crooning - as if he's perpetually stuck in lullaby mode.
There's some musical variety on this album for sure, but I can't help but be reminded of several bands that I don't like. Genesis, Steely Dan, Phil Collins... There's this smoothed out sophistication to everything, where it's so overly determined to be pleasant and soothing that there's hardly any expressive power to these songs. I feel like the album is trying to put me to sleep, all the will slowly waving it's hand as if to assure me that it means no harm.
The ballads are where the album fares the worst, with "We Let the Stars Go" in particular being just too much syrup for one pancake.
"Carnival 2000" has a more fun musical arrangement than any other song on the album, but it's still got this quality to it where it's just all a bit too starry eyed. The singer pretty much ensures that I would never be able to fully get on board with any of these songs.
Everything is super nicely recorded and performed, but I don't think I'll be able to listen to this again without a pack of 10 insulin injection pens at hand.
I voted "disliked it".
So sorry Troll, I really tried.
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