MYSTERY – Delusion Rain (2015)
One of the favorite Neo Prog bands of this blog, Canadians MYSTERY, will release their new album “Delusion Rain” next November 13, the first with vocalist Jean Pageau.
Known for the exquisite vocals of Benoit David – who also was in Yes at the same time – after his departure in good terms with the rest of the band, he is being replaced by Pageau, another great find by Mystery.
Again produced by mastermind, founder, guitarist and keyboard player Michel St-Père, “Delusion Rain” is a wonderful album that continues to showcase Mystery’s outstanding musical abilities. St-Pere is truly a talented and gifted artist who continues to develop lush, deep and layered arrangements.
For those unaware of Mystery’s music, the band perform a mix of intelligent and tasteful AOR with careful progressive rock flavours, preferring to focus on well-written song structures with strong melodies.
Most of the proggier instrumental flourishes are tightly incorporated around the songs, very rarely self-indulgent or trying to show off, and never at the expense of the overall tune.
“Delusion Rain” is perhaps more progressive than the previous album, the songs are longer but as happens with quality Neo Prog bands, all flow easily thanks to the sweet and accessible melodies, something like ‘songs into songs’.
You have almost 3 songs inside opener title track “Delusion Rain”, four parts in the excellent “The Willow Tree” and an exercise of gusto in closer “A Song for You”.
As usual, Mystery not only delivers top class music, but also some thought provoking lyrics; just check “Wall Street King”.
New singer Jean Pageau has brought a really nice fresh dimension to Mystery, as his vocals, still really melodius, have a slightly more ‘Rock’ approach.
If you like beautifully crafted songs that display a ridiculously high standard of musicianship, then this is for you. If you like soaring guitars with solos akin to the likes of ’80s David Gilmour which make the hairs on your back stand up, then this is for you.
If you like proggy AOR ballads, then this is the best you will find. Add to all this some classic waves in the style of Marillion, ’80s Yes, Rush, Saga, etc.
You can’t go wrong with Canadians Mystery, and the band has won me over again with “Delusion Rain”. This new record is a pure delight: elegant, intense at places, always melodic.
“Delusion Rain” is true Neo Prog; progressive arrangements with real sense, adorned with AOR / rock&pop sensibility, precise instrumentation and pristine production. Catch Mystery on tour all over Europe right now, you will thank me for the advise later.
Highly Recommended.
01 – Delusion Rain
02 – If You See Her
03 – The Last Glass of Wine
04 – The Willow Tree
05 – Wall Street King
06 – A Song for You
Jean Pageau – lead vocals, flute, keyboards
Michel St-Père – guitars, keyboards
Benoît Dupuis – keyboards
François Fournier – bass, Taurus pedals, keyboards
Sylvain Moineau – guitars
Jean-Sébastien Goyette – drums
PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.co.uk/Delusion-Rain-Mystery/dp/B015VRUD8A
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