No Name Experience, The (TNNE): Wonderland

Luxembourg band TNNE (The No Name Experience), date all the way back to 1988 when the band was known as No Name. They had a run of albums in the ‘90s beginning with their 1993 debut Zodiac. Their 2006 effort titled 4 was the last album before the band broke up a few years after but reformed in 2014 under TNNE and released The Clock That Went Backwards, my first introduction to the band. The band is back with their latest album Wonderland released in 2017.

Two members have been in the band since the early years; Alex Rukavina (keyboards) and Patrick Kiefer (vocals). Joining them are newest members Claudio Cordero of the band Cast (guitars) and Michel Casadei Della Chiesa (bass) as well as returnee Gilles Wagner (drums).

Wonderland is a fine neo prog album which I am enjoying at least as much as The Clock That Went Backwards. The band’s strengths are its strong sense of melody and refined playing. Tasty keyboards and guitar along with soaring lead vocals, very melodious and smooth on the ears are what you can look forward to. The guitar and keyboards have some quality interaction throughout the album highlighted in songs such as “Final Fantasy� and “Frozen In Time� with its crisp groove, tight rhythms and grand orchestral leanings. Fred Hormain’s saxophone on the supremely catchy lead off track “My Childish Mind� and the album ending “Le Fil Du Temps�, another fabulous bit of melodicism, is a nice touch.

Sure the music doesn’t get overly complicated but if you appreciate bands like IQ and Pendragon, TNNE should be on your radar. Wonderland is an excellent album and belongs in any melodic/neo prog collection.

Released on Progressive Promotion Records.

Track Listing:
1. My Childish Mind (8:27)
i) Opening
ii) The Thrill
2. Eye Of A Storm (6:42)
3. Katrina Killed The Clown (7:12)
4. Wonderland (6:49)
5. Final Fantasy (5:24)
6. Frozen In Time (7:41)
7. Glittering Lights (4:05)
8. Eight Weeks (8:26)
Bonus Track:
9. Le Fil Du Temps (4:22)

Added: May 26th 2018
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 1085
Language: english

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