Catchy, saccharine, heart-warming, hit potential, orchestral on the one side but demanding, challenging, complex, cumbersome as well as parsimoniously instrumented – the new first class album by NEVERLAND called Reversing Time combines these two aspects harmoniously.
Greek artist Iris Mavraki is responsible for alluring female vocals. She gets supported by her band mate Oganalp besides numerous guest musicians appearing on this effort. The one or other listener will immediately recognize some voices – Hansi Kürsch delivers a first class vocal performance during To Lose The Sun. Tom Englund upgrades Reversing Time ennobling World Beyonf These Walls with his voice in same degree like musicians of Shadow Gallery.
Reversing Time oscillates between touching ballads, oftentimes accompanied by calm piano or acoustic guitar sounds and orchestral arranged bombastic tracks. Last named are played in egregious manner by Philharmonic Istanbul Orchestra. Indeed some shallow refrains found the way on Reversing Time nearly unnoticed, but in all kitsch is used sparingly and carefully.
NEVERLAND manage to master the narrow ridge between claim and diversion without boring the listener because of compositions dabbling along or otherwise getting entangled in all too progressive structures. That’s why I take my hat off for this band!