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Mind's Eye return after a hiatus of around 4 years with their finest body of work to date and an album which is good enough to be considered an all time Progressive classic.  Walking On h2o is the name of the album and its home to one of the most original progressive offerings in some time and is the complete package.  Everything about this release is or as close to perfect as you can get - song writing / production / musicianship / lyrical subject / packaging and to anyone that has been following the bands career will not be surprised by this as the growth shown throughout the bands first 3 albums always suggested the big one was coming...well its here.

The album lyrically is rich exploring the evolution of man according to Darwin, it also looks into conspiracy theories (A Rabbit In The Hat), Sept 11th (Equally Immortal), drug addiction (Out Of My System) amongst other topics and theories.  Musically the band - now down to just a 3 piece comprising of Daniel Flores (drums and keyboards) Andreas Novak (lead vocals) and Johan Niemann (Bass/Guitars) evoke the spirit of Genesis after Peter Gabriel left and have created a big rich sound that is simply stunning.  This album sonically has depth and width and dazzles even on the worst stereo system.   To compare the band to others is hard as there is a very original sound here, but there are shades of the aforementioned Genesis, Yes, Rush and to some extent (vocally) Journey.  This is modern day prog based on the old masters, those looking for heavy riffing guitars may be let down slightly, by the craft of song writing and performance more than compensates for the lack of any perceived heaviness. 

Walking on h2o begins with Earth - The Movie which is a totally engaging instrumental which is very film score like in its build and contains many nice touches such as opening with a teacher gaining the attention of her class (or us the listener) to speeches from JFK about getting to the moon at all costs, you might think this sounds slightly out there but one listen will have you hooked.  The track then segues into A Rabbit In The Hat which has some immense hooks and sublime delivery from all involved, this 1-2 punch alone is worth the price of purchase.  Equally Immortal sees a more restraint mood enter but which has excellent dynamics and structure, great emotional vocals here, the deft piano touches under the verse add to the depth before the more upbeat pre-chorus and chorus sees the structures build and here the Journey-like touches can be heard.  Mrs Clair.Voyance is heavier in approach and the production really shines here, Daniel Flores drum sound is particularly impressive.  The track is again home to great vocal hooks and the chorus from this one will stick in your head for days.  Fans of prog rock ala Transatlantic will find a lot to enjoy here in particular.  Sahara In An Hourglass is as the title may suggest full of eastern promise, rich lush orchestral textures combine with restraint acoustic guitar and vocals for the opening bars of each verse before the symphonic backing builds to a crescendo, flawless stuff.  Another chorus hits all the right buttons and is certainly a contender for album highlight.  Out Of My System is quite commercial in its approach, by that we get massive vocal hooks in both verse and choruses, all backed up with top notch musicianship.  The track reminded me a little of Genesis circa Duke and the ultra clear production shines like a beacon.  The vocal delivery of Andreas Novak must receive special praise here as its especially stunning. Umbrellas Under The Sun sees a nice variation of progressive approaches from the heavish opener to the more melodic waters of the pre-chorus and the totally classic prog chorus.  A nice keyboard motif also harks back to the 70's yet a more modern sound is apparent here which creates a strong blend.  Sacred Rules is as heavy as the album gets at the start, pounding guitars working well with a keyboards which was reminiscent of early Queensrÿche to these ears which also serves as the chorus.  Any such comparisons vanish for the verse which has a simple guitar figure over which keyboard orchestrations help build the tracks density, the two blend together superbly.  The Nazca Lines was given an early preview on the bands website (www.roundrec.com) and its another slice of pure prog class, being a master class in how to build a track through different textures and shades building all the while yet retaining an identifiable sound of its own.  Next up is the first true instrumental of the album, the magnificent Flight Of The An.unna.ki which begins with more film score type introductions before the pomp 70's vibe kicks in hard blending prime Yes with early Rush.  Guitars and keyboard intertwine perfectly whilst bass and drums power the track along with apparent ease yet listen to those deft drum fills and china cymbal pangs - glorious.  My one complaint is that at 3:20 is too short!  Heal My Karma (cool title) expresses more of the bands by now  trademark blend of melody and musical enrichment that just enwraps your ears.  When I Whisper is a delicate orchestrated piano track that could easily be at home on the bands more subdued release A Work Of Art.  Its melancholy feel does serve a purpose on h20 however and its helps provide an air of calm reflection to the previous 11 offerings and at the end of 4 minutes will be under your skin well and truly making it a surprise key moment.  So how do you go about closing an album of this stature?  Simple add on a 11 minute epic entitled Poseidon Says which is a work of art in itself.  Building from more film score type orchestration into gentle timbres with exquisite vocals from Novak again which work with acoustic guitar until around the 2 minute mark when the pace picks up and lush guitar layers add a robustness to the track.  This reminded me a little of Rabin era Yes and the vocal melody on the verse around this point will please all progressive fans young and old.  The guitar and bass work of Johann shows how the same person handling both roles can be utilised to fine the perfect balance between doubling, harmony and counterpoint.  The track then goes through a series of loud and quite moments before building for the climax which sees more radio broadcasts being used at the end it worked for Pink Floyd 30 odd years ago and its works as well today, before a nice vocal resolve finishes the album before an orchestral swirl.

This is one of the longest reviews I have written and for good reason, this album just has so many talking points that it seemed only right to go on....believe me it could have been a lot longer.  At the end of it all there is only one way to sum up Walking On h20 and that is that its an essential purchase for any rock fan new or old, the musicianship is immense yet melodically restraint, the vocal melodies are first class, the overall production is flawless.  Simply Walking On h2o is most likely destined to be album of the year and a pinnacle reference point in the evolution of the Prog rock genre - stunning and essential.