Solar Project - Chromagnitude (CD)

This new CD (their sixth studio album) contains 7 compostions that sound simply structured but very tasteful coloured by guitar and especially keyboards, the Hammond organ work often evokes Manfred Wieczorke his work in early Eloy. The guitarplay has obvious hints of David Gilmour, especially in the opener Gray (also delicate saxophone solo and omnipresent organ sound) and Black (alternating with very compelling organ work). My highlight is the long track Green (more than 15 minutes) featuring lots of shifting moods and very pleasant work on guitar (from heavy riffs and sensitive play to a captivating psychedelic solo and a fine duet with the organ) and kebyoards (from soaring synthesizers and compelling Hammond sounds to frequent eruptions on the choir-Mellotron. Halfway the climate turns into psychedelic like Pink Floyd At Pompeii. The final part delivers fat guitar riffs and fiery guitar runs. The vocals are often duo, a combination of male and female, it sound pleasant but the lyrics are very simple. At some moments the music reminds me of the first Epidaurus album, also from Germany but rooted in the Seventies.

This is not music with refinement, tension, inventive ideas or awesome skills but if you like early Eloy or more psychedelic pInk Floyd, this is a CD to discover.