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Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

Mindgames - "Actors In A Play"

Label - Self Produced
Reviewed by: Jason Carzon
Genre: Prog Rock
Country: Belqium
Language: English
Length: 66:54
Release Date: 2006
Label:
Self Produced
Band Members: Bart Schram / vocals, acoustic 6-string & 12-string, recorder Rudy Vander Veken / lead & rhythm guitar, acoustic 6-string
  Eric Vandormael / bass guitar, bass pedals Benny Petak / drums, percussion
  Tom Truyers / piano, synthesizers, Hammond
     
Track Listing: 1.)-The Benefit of Anxiety (09:03)  
  2.)- Dramatis Persona (10:05)  
  3.)- The Statue (16:29)  
  4.)-Sagittarius (06:47)  
  5.)- Royalty in Jeopardy (11:53)  
  6.)-Both Sides of the Show (12:35)  
     
     
The Review

Belgian prog band MindGames album 'ACTORS IN A PLAY' is, I believe, their second album or so, and pretty much play in a well-covered field. Actors In A Play is hardly a work of originality, and you've probably heard this sort of 70's prog-worship before: they play on the retro/symphonic side of the Neo genre, and I suppose are comparable to second tier prog bands like Deyss, Red Sand, Collage, and the like. Nor is this unpleasant either, and these six tracks should please any listener who gently caresses their 70's prog record collection with a nostalgic tear in their eye. Instrumental sections are tried-and-true prog arrangements which are pleasant enough, though the vocals are an aquired taste, and come off weird at times. And as expected, the usual jester/chess/puppets imagery. I wouldn't be suprised if these guys dressed up as harlequins and stuff on stage. And if you're a subscriber to the idea that 'long-is-better', you can rest assure that Mind Games are allergic to songs that aren't 10 or 14 minute long epics. Here, there is only one track under 7 minutes in length.***

The trax:

BENEFIT OF ANXIETY: the usual expected album opener from such an album- lengthy, multi-sectioned, pretty much sums up what you'll hear from this point onward on the rest of the disc. Nice Pendragon-like chorus.***

DRAMATIS PERSONA: the obligatory 'circus/jester/puppets, etc.' imagery opens this one, with some whimsical keyboards and spoken narraration. The song section reminds me of the earliest Pallas, probably the chorus. This is probably the best track on the disc, which works best as a song, with decent sections.***

STATUE: timeless church organ intro before the proper song section. Here the bass and drums step up a little more. Vocals sound a bit odd, the way the singer sings real fast and sped up. You may wonder if he's on helium or if your cd player is on the fritz, but no it's just the vocals like that. Strange. Nice instrumental passage afterward though.***

SAGITTARIUS: acoustic passages for this one with some slight Yes harmony and some flute sounds as well. This is both the ballad of the album and the shortest track at 6+ minutes.***

ROYALTY IN JEOPARDY: tales of kings and the like for this more epic track. Here the vocals go back into 'drama'-mode, but I can also imagine Nick Barrett singing this, so I can work with it. The expected march-like rhythm section and keyboard sounds ensue.***

BOTH SIDES OF THE SHOW: really, more of the same. Piano intro, followed by more neo arrangements including a sprightly jig section, organ, and maybe a Beatles-like bouncy section as well. Plenty of what you'd expect.***

Add 'ACTORS IN A PLAY' to your collection if you want some not too original but pleasant, if unthreatening, prog rock.***

 

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