reCycled has been reviewed by the folks over at Dutch Progressive Rock Page, check it out: here

«Canada are a AOR/Prog Rock fusion that hail from Rimini in Italy and are the brainchild of Massimo Cillo. They describe their music as a mixture of Rush and AOR acts like Asia, Boston and Journey.

When I initially looked at the tracks on this EP I incorrectly thought that it was a collection of covers of famous Canadian bands, Never Surrender (Triumph) and Tom Sawyer (Rush) however whilst that might be an attractive proposition that is certainly not the case here even though the bonus track is actually a cover of Rush’s Tom Sawyer from the Moving Pictures album.

Instead Canada are fusing Rush style instrumentation with an AOR vocal and melody style to create something that is well, a little different and does on certain of these songs seem to work rather well indeed.

These songs are all re-recordings of earlier (older) material that Canada have released on various tapes and vinyl during their 15 year or so existence (they are all found on the afterimage album)

So what do they sound like?

The lead off song (Eyes On You) is certainly a strong opener with a gentle plucked intro leading into a lifting guitar before the introduction of a crunchy guitar riff and then Massimo’s soaring voice joins the fray. The song continues with a strong keyboard melody recurrent throughout and a strong chorus line, there is a lot going on in here with piano embellishments and Hammond organ subtly supporting – the guitar break when it comes is initially atonal before settling into a more traditional burst albeit short. Overall it is a good opener and a strong statement of intent.

Second track Don’t Throw Your Heart is the longest of their own songs on display here and opens with keyboards again before a rapid riff enters and the vocals come in sounding rather like a John Payne era Asia track in its short and punchy attack, the song has a very simple yet very catchy chorus that will remain in your head.

The third track is Angel Of The City is the shortest on display here and opens with a further swirl of keyboards and guitar and sounds reminiscent of another Canadian band – Santers. This is a short concise song with a good mix of sounds a short guitar solo leading to a brief keyboard solo before heading back into the chorus again

It has to be said the musicianship on display is really very good and repeated listening do reveal the multi layered approach that Canada have taken. Canada are very keen on getting to the chorus section of the song fairly quickly though.

The fourth track Never Surrender is an instrumental that offers each member of a band a showcase to display their versatility and prowess yet never descends into the look at me culture rather the track builds upon itself moving through some very Rush like phases with some great atmospherics in the background and a good interplay between the guitar, bass and keyboards

The bonus track – Tom Sawyer will be known by most I’m sure as it a cover of the Rush classic from Moving Pictures. To be honest this is possibly the weakest track on display in that it does nothing new with the song rather it is a straight reproduction of what we already know – and Massimo’s voice is not Geddy Lee and it is sung in a slightly higher register and for me at least it doesn’t really work that well. However it is a fine version but in my opinion a bit redundant and a wasted opportunity to either display another of their own pieces or to re-invent the song for themselves.

In conclusion I would suggest that Canada have great potential for the future. They certainly have the musical chops to deliver some interesting music and I look forward to hearing their next project which is a concept album due to be released during 2012 and called Of Once And Future Kings. On the basis of the material on this EP that should certainly prove to be an enticing prospect.

A good taster for what is to come overall I would give it…»

by John Wenlock-Smith – DPRP – Dutch Progressive Rock Page