Album Notes

Visit the new web site exclusively dedicated to this album:

www.trueillusionsCD.com

with all the info about the making of "True illusions" .

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cd review by Jonathan Pine for ProgressiveEars.com
date: 3/16/2004

Devas - a fine name for a band: both in Hinduism and in Buddhism Devas are spirits living in their own etheric realm (the word "deva" in Sanskrit means "shining one"). Luckily enough, the group exists in this, very real, world. Created in Boston Devas now resides in Los Angeles, consisting of the following members: Andri Leonardo (vocals, piano), Gianni Chiarello (guitars), Emir Isilay (piano, keyboards), Dave Lindermann (bass), Kaoru Suzuki (drums) and Alice Ayvazian (backing vocals).

The album True Illusions is a diverse collection of melodic and very well arranged songs. Musically it is a style that can be labelled as prog-pop.
The opening track is a gentle ballad - "The Paintress" with some gorgeous piano playing. The second piece "The Other Side" is rather a straight forward song but very catchy, including remarkable keyboard and guitar solos at the end. The following number "From Within" begins very rhythmically (vocal, piano + guitar) but changes its direction several times. The title track, True Illusions offers a solid work of the rhythmic section and classy guitar riffs in ZZ TOP style.

My favorite tunes are the fifth song "Moving On" (a marvelously delicate ballad with excellent vocal line and piano work) and the tenth track "Losing Faith" (dreamy, containing harmony vocals and a classy, weeping, Latimer-like, guitar solo).

The vocals and the tasteful piano work are the highlights of this album. The vocalist Andri Leonardo sings in a number of different styles always maintaining the purity of tone. To be truthful, I must add that all the band members represent high quality musicianship, demonstrating lots of potential. Lyrically, this release focuses on existential problems and dreams.

Summing up, if you like this music genre, Devas' CD will not disappoint you. Furthermore, there are a few songs that should please everyone. That is why this work is worth recommending to anyone who loves exciting music with nice arrangements, melodical atmosphere and adequate amount of melancholy (not too much, I mean).Personally, I prefer this release to most of the Hogarth-era Marillion albums. *