Swiss import, Oliver Benz`s "The Curtain" is an unlikely type of album to appear on the Not Lame site as it is more progressive than pop. Yet, "The Curtain" is going to appeal to many here because of its ability to demonstrate highly intense piano-based melodies inside a dramatic, thematically rich palette of sound. If you are familiar with Spock`s Beard and The Flower Kings, much of what Benz experiments here is similar to that band`s basic orientation - also, add some mid/late 70s Kansas. "3.5 of out 4. When was the last time in Switzerland that a fully developed Musician, Singer and Composer came out of nowhere? Long, long time ago... What a Work: opulent, dramatic, profound, multilayered and melancholic. In the navigable water of Neal Morse (Spock`s Beard) this Swiss Musician pulls out all the stops of his mastery. After a gentle beginning with bland Piano sounds, Benz leads us through his world, away from all expectations and he won`t let us go until the end." - Daily Rock. "Complex Songs, somewhere between Neal Morse (Music) and Ben Folds (Voice). It`s definitely not radiogenic and that`s where the special attraction of this CD lies. The album is not following any predetermined patterns, it surprises with absolute intravenous parts that go deep below the surface and it seduces without overcharging into abysm that should be heard twice to really understand. The again the album is trendy and has its catchy songs. The conclusion:"The Curtain" is raven-hued melancholic but it can elate easily for all its 46 minutes." - Black Sheep. Open your ears and you mind and explore the soundbites here and see if something that may appear different is not that far off from what you already enjoy. RECOMMENDED!
 Song #1 - mp3
Song #2 - mp3
Song #3 - mp3
Song #4 - mp3
Song #5 - mp3 | 
