CRYSTAL PALACE – Through the years 1995

Cover	Release	Style
	2005	melodic power rock
	Label
	independent
	Website
	http://www.crystalpalace.de
	Contact
	crystalpalace@web.de
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	67:33	-
	Review by	Rating
	Johan	8,5/10
nederlands	Review
Sometimes you get surprised by a new release and for this time, Crystal Palace is one. The German Quintet, who where formed in 1995 and based in Berlin, convinced me with their 12 songs counting compilation album filled with own compositions. This is Art with a capitol A… Not only in musical way, but also because of the beautiful artwork on the album cover. Their music can be described as ‘melodic art rock’ (as the band likes to call it) - a combination of 80’s glamour with high tech sound of the 21^st century. Although their music is brilliant, Crystal Palace is still looking for a management or record label company. Each member is semi professional in his own way and the music sounds well balanced. From the very start on with “Puppet In Your Hand” it’s symphonic prog-rock from a higher shelf. Beautiful melodies mixed with well balanced harmonies and a perfect timing. Passion for music… just as the title “Isle Of Passion” says. Comparing Crystal Palace with other bands isn’t the right thing to do I suppose because they have their own sound but to name a few influences I’d like to mention Pendragon, Marillion & Saga. While you hear some Saga influences in “Demon In You” it is more pendragon & Marillion in “Bleeding You”. The vocals of Jens Uwe Strutz reminds me of Steve Hoggart (Marillion) or Nick Barrett (Pendragon). Of course, every album has his minors, so “Cloudy Day” & “Aeroplane” maybe aren’t the strongest compositions but they are nice in their own kind of way. “Psychedelic Sleep” is a driven song with a lot of energy and many changes. In “Children Of The Sun” I noticed some typical Steve Rothary (Marillion) elements. Also dreamy guitar melodies in “Under The Red Sky”. For “It’s Hunting you” Crystal Palace choose to record this one in an acoustic version. Strutz vocals are companied by piano, violins and acoustic guitar which gave this song a sensitive accent. The longest track “Cry” is also a very poetic but also a powerful song with lots of guitar work. “Through The Years” is a symphonic prog-rock album to dream away and a must buy for every progressive rock-fan.
Musicians
Jens Uwe Strutz: Vocals, Bass, Bass pedal Ralf Jaschob: Guitars Frank Köhler: Keyboards Frank Fuhrmann: Drums
Tracklist
Puppet In Your Hand (5:39) Isle Of Passion (5:03) Demon In You (4:27) Bleeding sun (5:17) Cloudy Day (4:33) Standing In The Shadow (5:06) Aeroplane (5:17) Psychedelic Sleep (5:41) Children Of The Sun (4:11) Under The Red Sky (8:25) It’s Hunting You (4:46) Cry (9:03)
Discography
On The Edge Of The World (1995) Children of the sun (1999) Demon In You (2001) Unplugged By The Shadow… Live In The Crowd (2002) Eisbär ’n Forever (2002) Psychedelic Sleep (2003) Studio Jam (2004/05) Through The Years (2006)


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