Right. What can we say about this new band? And more: what can we compare this album with? Wouldn’t things be so much easier when every debut would have the same level in one way or another? Maybe, but the only way to spot the jewels is when you have a big enough grey basis compared to which these jewels stand out. And I hate to say it, but this album is just another grey establishment. I’m not saying that these guys haven’t tried, it just is not that special. Big Deal is a Dutch group that after a few years of playing covers has now come to the point where the members have written enough original work to put together on a CD. So there are no pretentions at all, these guys did not make this album to make them famous, it’s more of a crown on their repertoire kind of thing. And maybe that is how one should listen to the album. And in that case, you may easily find that the songs are in fact nicely composed, although not surprising anywhere. We have two guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, just as you would expect, but the music somehow lacks the necessary depth.

Every instrument is audible at about the same level. No subtle backgrounds, no slamming foreground, just plain. Just like the songs themselves, which are quite predictable. Not poppy-like predictable, but if you ever heard a band like this play, you’ll know what I mean. Nice music, but you’ll have forgotten about them before you reach the door by the time you go home. So what do Big Deal sound like? In their own words, the sound is inspirated by bands like the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Queen and Live. In my opinion these influences do not really stand out, but staying in the melodic, symphonic rock corner, the vocals sound a bit like Marillion’s Fish. Probably some of the band members listen to Marillion too. And they should, because that would definitely work to their benefit. They have the line-up, they have the vocals, now all they need is to move just an tiny little bit more in that direction, composition-wise. THEN listen to the second album...