| Reviews of Between Day and Night |
| Synthology has a big, melodic prog sound, heavy on long-toned guitar and translucent keyboards. Evocative of a softer dreamier version of Asia, their music is thoughtfully conceived , and makes for rewarding listening. John and James Alarcon on piano, synths and guitars, have fashioned what they call: ....in some ways a concept album...born in the dreams and nightmares of the human condition..;' Nevertheless, a celestial-bright keyboard sheen (similar to that used by Iasos on his great Angelic Music) predominates, surrounding the yearning voice of Marysa Mardini, Churchill Downes on bass, and The Winkler'' - methinks a machine - on drums. John has impressive keyboard chops which nod, occasionally, in a direction of Keith Emerson. Special mention goes to the great riff he' s fashioned for the title track which boasts some beautiful harmonies. They also get kudos for the excellent cover graphics , the trippy aura, set against a background of stark white, perfectly compliments the music's heady atmosphere; Progression Magazine, Issue 39, Sept 2001 The oft-forgotten Canada has another musician worthy of attention here. John Alarcon (keyboards) together with family member James (guitar), have completed their 6-month labour of love and released a cd drenched in lush synths and piano, over which the excellent Hernandez (Cast) style guitar soars. If I was to try to provide comparators, I would suggest a prog-lite Cast, or maybe a more ethereal Tantalus. Overall, the comparison I am most drawn to is the underrated Tony Banks solo album 'A Curious Feeling', as much for the keyboard-led sounds as well as the atmospherics of the album as a whole. Whilst the production occasionally lacks the clarity that I always seem to require in my own personal listening habits, the listening experience is most pleasant, and the enjoyment seems to increase with every listen as more nuances are drawn out. Singer Marysa Mardini has a good voice, and the drums are such that they undermine the thought that they may be machine generated. In short, a solid album of keyboard-led music, with much stirring guitar and haunting melody to please the ear; Wondrous Stories, magazine of the Classic Rock Society, Feb 2001 There are records which appear from nowhere ,but from the first sound you feel your heart beating faster. Unknown to anybody brothers John and James Alarcon supported by Marysa Mardini and bassist Churchill Downes have released a cd which fans of reflective and intelligent music will love immediately. If you remember the first solo record of Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks - Synthology has the same atmosphere and moody sound like his 1979 release"A Curious Feeling". We have here very similar synthesizer sounds, the same melancholic atmosphere and slowly building climate. It' s splendid to listen to this music as it flows to our ears inconspicuously, but in the final effect it breaks into our brain so deeply that it stays there for hours. We have beautiful songs like Abracadabra and Nosferatu, we have ravishing instrumental compositions like The Voyage of Dexius;. It's a pity the record is so short and I wish the magic ofthis magnificent record would continue much longer. This is not a problem since my hand automatically goes back to the play button. One more good piece of information for the end of this year: Synthology will release their next cd and I can't stand waiting for it Artur Chachlowski, Metal Hammer magazine May 2001 issue (translated from Polish) Between Day and Night is a high quality release and a total must for fans of Neo-prog. The cd contains 10 songs, of which about 6 songs feature the good female lead vocals of Marysa Mardini. Opener "Comes the Night" is an excellent instrumental uptempo melodic Neo-prog rocker. Next track ;Abracadabra fetures the female lead vocals and is great Neo-prog, wit some lovely keyboard work of John Alarcon, who together with his brother James (guitarist) are the leaders of Synthology. The cd continues in this Neo-prog style, with both instrumental and vocal tracks. The best songs are Between Day and Night (great female-fronted Neo-prog a la Tracy Hitchings), Curtain Call ( polished ballad), and the instrumental slow melodic rocker Living in Dreamland. Synthology is a very good band, a must for fans of Neo-prog. (8/10) Gabor Keinbloesem, Strutter Magazine , Dec 2001 .....Strong changes and nice textures abound, and you get the feeling that this could be a great instrumental overture to some grand concept album. It's definately worth a listen if you enjoy instrumental guitar-based or prog rock; you'll get just what you came for. Good stuff! - Mark Gollihur (Gods of Music Staff Reviewer/Editor) review of 'Comes the Night' Musically, I was reminded of ELP meets IQ and Jean Pascal Boffo (of France). Also, I sense a Steve Hackett influence but nothing plagiaristic, which is great. All in all, a great production Julian Belanger Host of "Mental Notes" (Art Rock show) CJAM 91.5 FM Windsor, Ontario, Canada ...Your work is really, really good....; Jorge Albuquerque, Prog Noise International Magazine |
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| Wondrous Stories Feb 2001 issue |
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