YES - this sounds familiar
todd | WA USA | 11/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't imagine anyone hearing a song off this album not liking the song, but you'd be way off judging this album by just one or two songs. Very canterbury-folky in places, rocks in other places. Some might think the album lacks focus; it is not a theme oriented piece, which in my case is a welcome relief. Some of these songs are downright bouyant. As expected, the musicianship is great, but the heart put into these performances suggest a real enthusiasm and sentiment for the material. I'd recommend this album to any fan of '70s progressive rock, and of course, it has its Yes-ish moments, but I wouldn't at all compare this group to other keyboard driven bands like Glass Hammer or Cairo because the use of keyboards are kept in-check by a multitude of acoustic instruments giving this album has a very organic feel, not a over-processed, strident sound like some non-metal prog bands do now-a-days. This album stays in regular rotation and I can see fans of The Flower Kings being very taken with it."
Ritual - self-titled (Inside Out)
Mike Reed | USA | 09/05/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Looks to be the Swedish folk/progressive rock band's second effort.I know I've seen this CD available in various dealer catalogs,online stores,etc. Only downside of this CD is that I thought it was simply TOO Yes-like. Other than that,it's a decent effort by the little known four piece. Tunes I was semi-impressed with were "Wingspread","Solitary Man" and the catchy "Independence Day"(good riff). Line-up:Patrik Lundstrom-guitar&vocals,Fredrik Lindquist-bass,Jon Gamble-keyboards&harmonica and Johan Nordgren-drums.Just might appeal to some fans of Genesis,Yes,Alan Parsons and Flash."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1