Courting the Widow: Nad Sylvan (InsideOutMusic)

Progressive rock has probably never been as popular since the early to mid 1970s - and now there is a new album that ranks with some of the best releases in the genre.

Nad Sylvan might not be a household name to many but his new album ought to massively raise his profile.

At 70 minutes long it includes just eight songs, but all have great merit.

If you like Genesis, particular circa Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, and if you like Steve Hackett, who guests on three tracks here, then you'll love Courting The Widow.

Sylvan has spent the last year or so as lead singer of Hackett's touring band and has put in terrific performances singing many of the Genesis classics that featured Peter Gabriel.

There are clear Genesis influences on his new album, but it certainly stands in its own right.

Carry Me Home, the upbeat opening track, features prog rhythms, Tony Banks-style keyboards and Steve Hackett on guitar.

The title track is a brooding, intense song of love and death while Echoes of Ekwabet is epic, a stunning and haunting track with a gorgeous ethereal Nad Sylvan guitar solo.

Other highlights include the quirky Ship's Cat (a nice change of pace and tempo) and the final song Long Slow Crash Landing, a slow-burner that builds and builds into a rousing finale.

Perhaps the only weakness on the album is the length of To Turn The Other Side. It's pleasant and enjoyable but arguably does not include enough light and shade to justify its 22 minutes 6 seconds running time. Geneesis managed such a lengthy song with Supper's ready but there were far more catchy hooks there.

Overall, though, I found Courting The Widow hugely impressive and I look forward to the next Nad Sylvan album and hopefully catching him on tour.

* Courting The Widow is released on October 15