CAST - IMAGINARY WINDOW - 1999

CAST is one of my favorite symphonic prog band, and "Imaginary Window" is one of their best albums. This is an excellent band but they have problems with production - the sonic quality of the CD is not optimum - I would say. Even though it's not fatal, but it actually still can be improved. This album opens with classical music influence instrumental track "Moving Universe" with flute and keyboard as main instruments during intro. But it is then continued with Hackettian guitar work by Hernandez. The combined work of guitar and keyboard is truly awesome - especially when they accompany flute. I can tell you that this is a great composition packed with pulsating keyboard sounds by Vidales and howling guitar.

Second track "Alter Ego" is nicely composed with lyrical verse. The music is packed with excellent combination of flute, guitar and keyboard. The structure is a bit complex but it's an excellent track. "A Blossom In The Spring" is a mellow track with piano accompanying vocal and thinly mixed guitar work at the background. Again, it's an excellent track as far as songwriting, musicianship and performance. I love the electric guitar which is performed very softly - in terms of volume - and I think this is the characteristic of CAST music.

"Dawn" is an upbeat instrumental featuring Hernandez guitar work in, again, soft volume. It's an excellent guitar work combined with keyboard and dynamic drumming. "Simple Things" is a nice mellow track with melodic singing style. Electric piano provides rhythm section. It then continues with classical music influence track "Snail" followed with "Around and Around". This track demonstrates the true sound of CAST music whereby the music is a symphonic in nature, featuring guitar and great keyboard sound. Vocal is not that powerful but it fits with the music. Drumming is excellent even though the sonic quality is not that good. The music flow is wonderful: it moves from simple to complex, medium tempo into faster one with pulsating keyboard sounds - multi-layered. The remaining tracks are all excellent ones and it will satisfy you if you are a symphonic prog music lover. This includes the epic title track "Imaginary Window" that comprises three parts.

Overall, I recommend you to purchase this CD because it's an excellent addition to any prog music collection.
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