I have listened to Until Then... countless times, and I'll admit that I still can't make up my mind about this Tonawanda, N.Y.-based band. Suffice to say that eclectic melodies swirl around lush keyboards, distinct vocals and soaring guitar solos, creating musical atmospheres similar to Marillion, Arena, Yes, King Crimson and even Pink Floyd.
There's no question the four guys in Blink of an Eye are solid musicians. For proof, you only need to cue up opening track "You've Come a Long Way," a low-key yet catchy song that's got a lot more going on in it than your ears initially hear. Singer Carl Cino, whose guitar also complements lead guitarist Bob Enger, possesses a voice that oddly sounds both enchanted and a bit preoccupied. It makes for a slightly uneasy listening experience, which is appropriate considering that many of Blink of an Eye's thoughtful lyrics focus on social, political and spiritual themes — including the existence of God.
Only one of the eight tracks here clocks in at shorter than five minutes, and the epic yet melancholy title track spans more than nine minutes. The problem is that these songs build but never peak. Sure, there is a handful of hooks, especially on "Babylon" and "All That I Am." But Until Then… is still missing some intangible element that I can't quite peg. That's not to say this is a bad album. In fact, given the quality of playing on the disc, I'm confident the next record will compensate for any shortcomings on this one.
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