Splinter is a young, Dutch band that has already released two EP’s, “Luchtkastelen” and “Reflections”. Now it’s time for a first full-length CD, although the accompanying letter is quick to point out this is not THE new Splinter CD, but ‘a collection of songs from around the “Reflections”-era’. It was never the intention to release these recordings, but because the band were so happy with them, they decided to offer them for sale through their website. The mixing was done by Aquila’s Fred Hendrix.

Splinter’s music can best be described as diverse, melodic and emotional prog, a style usually associated with Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic. It’s no surprise then that Neal Morse is the one name that constantly pops up when you’re listening to this album. The complex, diverse compositions, the playfulness, the harmonies, the emotional vocals, the Beatles-influenced sounds,… Even Morse’s obsession with the concept of ‘Light’ is tackled (in a.o. “Neon”). If you still regret Neal Morse’s departure from Spock’s Beard, you really should listen to this band.

No weak songs on this album, and especially “The Devil’s Advocate”, “Twist Of Fate” and “Reflections” are quite impressive. “Guernica” and the piano ballad “The Hymn” are also pretty good and remind me a bit of those other Dutch prog rockers For Absent Friends.

Not a lot to criticize on this “Devil’s Jigsaw”. The album sounds very professional, the musicianship and the singing are excellent and the compositions are very well done. Still, I catch myself a little too often listening for those Spock’s Beard likenesses, which draws the attention away a bit from the rest. That doesn’t take anything away from the quality of the CD, though, and there are more than enough signs that they are working very hard at developing a sound of their own. This band has a lot of potential, and I even have a hunch Splinter are going to surprise us big time with their real first album.