Garden Of
from Norway is a fairly new band, and it shows. You have to learn how to crawl
before you can walk, and they have only just started - in 2008 - so I wasn't
expecting a flawless debut album from them. And it's not...
There is
nothing wrong with the technical aspect of things, and the execution is
adequate, where they really are lacking is in the song writing, production and
singing departments. More work is needed in all those areas. Biggest setback in
my opinion is Øyvind Hokstad's vocals, which is very uneven and he lacks range
and stamina, but it can all be corrected. And I hope they use this beginning as
a learning process because their 70's influenced progressive rock shows promise.
A decent start, and the band
does surely possess potential, now they need to go back in the rehearsing room
and work on their material, grow stronger and tighter.
