SYRINX - Reification (Private Pressing)
I could almost tell just by looking at this CD that I was going to like it. The whole style of the sleeve and booklet just screamed 4AD at me, and as that label will always be one of my favourites I slipped it into the player and hoped for great things. If you now expect me to say that it was a load of rubbish and I was sorely misled then you are wrong, as it is every bit as good as I hoped it would be. This French band have taken acoustic guitar and keyboards as the mainstays of their music, and with subtle bass and drums have produced some outstanding progressive rock in the classic style. The band are very secretive, and do not give away anything about themselves other than to admit that they all play in other bands, which could be why the musicianship on here is so good. Apparently this CD is the first in a trilogy of works recounting the subversion of the Aeon Syrinx by the Archon Pan, and if that sounds pretentious then so be it - they are French after all. Five lengthy tracks make up this hour of superb instrumental music, and it flows by so quickly that it is over before you know it. For me that it the highest recommendation that I could give.