Cinderella Search Japan

"Initially, this appears to be quite a big step up from the earlier album - much more modern sound, fuller production, easier-on-the-ear vocals, less dependence on the 1970s and a greater willingness to be more adventurous. But the early signs are deceptive as it rapidly heads downhill into a generic AOR soft-pop-rock that is so utterly bland and boring. I am actually reminded of some of those awful Michael Jackson ballads that assaulted our ears a few years back.

Generally, it works best when the lush surroundings are abandoned for a more direct approach as on the standout track 'Silent Fairy Dance'. The violin shines on only one or two tracks, but these are amongst the album's few highlights.

Some good moments, but you will have to wade through a lot of tedium to hear them. Disappointing!"

"It was the lure of the magic Mellotron that led me to this band, but ultimately its use is a bit too derivative to be satisfying. At times this album is too Genesis-like for its own good with a big slice of Banks and Hackett, and the English vocals are hard to swallow too, but when the band breaks out of the mould they make a good noise, very Neo Prog but with some good aggressive guitars and more than a nod to classic rock. The acoustic strings of 'Interlude' are a welcome, if short, touch that highlight the band's main claim to 'originality' - use of violin as a leading solo instrument.

Overall, it's a good-ish album, with some nice touches and sequences, but the songwriting is not up to scratch really and the vocals are poor."