Sylvan is king
A. Eikli | Norway | 12/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sylvan is a permier progressive rock band, hands down. Its strange they are so unknown but I'm sure that will change in the future. Their latest effort, "X-rayed", is in my opinion not as strong as their previous "Artificial Paradise", but it deserves 5 stars for the song "Lost" alone, not to mention the other outstanding songs.
Well worth the price and a must have for any progressive rock fan!"
Great Melodic Prog-Rock for a Rainy Day
Joel Israel | Cedar City, UT United States | 11/18/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sylvan is a great German band that is virtually unknown here in the states, which is not necessarily understandable, since their style of music is well-written and hook-laden enough to certainly appeal to the Nickelback/Hinder commercial rock crowd.
Sylvan though, besides potential commercial appeal, are an intelligent and very emotive band. The album is a sort of dissection of people's lives in modern society and how we are all "x-rayed" and exposed to others by dealing with our own emotional turmoil and problems. Quite deep and introspective.
Each song is quite well-written and compelling on this disc; without a "skip-it" track to be found...powerful and fervent vocal, flashy and lyrical guitar playing, and dramatic and smart lyrics. I actually have grown to like this album and band more and more each time I play it. I am planning on purchasing their next album, and look forward to learning more about the band. Fans of Enchant, Riverside, Dredg, Porcupine Tree, Pain of Salvation and latter-day Pink Floyd would like this album. Recommended!
"
Xrayed Dark Beauty...
pagan97 | 11/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Sylvan release is spectacular! Darker in tone than its predecessor, Artificial Paradise, this album begins the promise that comes to fruition on Posthumous Silence. Where in Artificial Paradise, I skip every other falsetto ballad-y track, this one I do not need to do that. All of it is cohesive and deeper in the mire than its half flowery little brother. I love the sampling and atmospherics used here that continue to grow and expand on the feel of each song. The musicianship is top notch and the singing is pretty good, although I do occasionally get that 80's rock feeling. I am a huge Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, and No-Man Fan and Sylvan is basically a cross between the three. Longer, melodic songs with soft and heavy spots. If you get one Sylvan album besides Posthumous Silence, this should be it. If you are thinking of starting with the best, go directly to Posthumous Silence. Favorite Tracks-Lost, So Easy, Given-Used-Forgotten."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
