Basler Zeitung, December 30st, 2015
Online Reviews of the CD "True illusions" by DEVAS
____________________________________________________________
Review
by Stoy for cdbaby.com
Date: March 4, 2006
Format: CD
Very strong album, expecting great things to come
This is a great addition to any classic rock music library, with a uniquely
epic flavor to the songs. The vocals are heavy on the harmony, and emotionally
tied to the lyrics. While it's more than solid enough to stand on its own,
the subtle nods to bands long gone (or past their prime) make listening feel
like rediscovering an old friend. Even if you're not immediately blown away,
I highly recommend giving yourself a chance to warm to this album. The samples
don't do justice to the full tracks, which often work up gradually to a remarkably
rich, satisfying finish.
____________________________________________________________
Review
by Per for missingpiece.net
Date: December 15, 2003
Format: CD
The first album from the new american progressive group Devas.
The instrumentation is keyboards/guitars/ bass/drums played by high-class
musicians. They are backing up somewhat Geddy Lee-sounding
singer Andri Leonardo. Their music is very melodic with strong
melodies filled with complexity. For those who like Echolyn
this is definitely a must and I can also hear influences from groups such
as Genesis and Porcupine Tree. It's amazing
how much good new music who's landing on the progressive and symphonic scene
today (no one can be happier than me). This group is one of them. Absolutely
a must. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Per)
Rating: 9
____________________________________________________
Review
by Jonathan Pine for ProgressiveEars.com
Date: March 16,
2004
Format: CD (Album)
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 Lindemann
(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 labeled
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 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.
____________________________________________________
Review
by Didier Decamps for Harmonie Magazine
Date: March 2004
Format: CD (Album)
DEVAS
TRUE ILLUSION
Doodeen Rekords - USA - 46’19”
As with the soccer teams or the large formation of cyclist racers, in a much
more modest proportion, one sees more and more bands with its band members
representing different nationalities.
I do not know whether the five musicians joined together in Devas
have different passports; yet it is certain that Andri Leonardo
(vocal, piano), Gianni Chiarello (guitars), Emir
Isilay (keyboards), David Lindemann (bass) and Kaoru
Suzuki (drums), make an evident original mix. Is this what gives
originality to this band? It is hard to say.
Anyway, Devas’ first album (following a mini one apparently)
has grasped my attention especially for its atypical, non-classifiable style,
one might say that it goes in all directions with no sense of real unity.
In the contrary, as it shows integrating elements of progressive music, rock,
pop, metal, jazz, and blues, Devas knew how to create its
own repertoire, melodic, adaptable and interesting in many ways. The band
is based in the States and globally one can feel it in the way the music is
arranged. Somehow we are not too far away from prog/rock melodic American
bands, dating back to the end of the seventies, in particular Angel
(outlining similarities in Andri Leonardo’s performance
to Frank Dimino’s) or sometimes Kansas.
Except for one or two tracks at the end (in particular "True illusions"),
the ten songs on the album are well built, produced and performed, and succeed
in captivating with its interesting combinations. This is what is called “digesting
its music influences well”. In other words "The paintress",
and its small minor coloration close to a Pain of salvation,
with a beautiful jazzy piano interlude and a finale, a bit more orchestral,
or "From Within", based on piano and voice with a rhythm in opposition
and supported choruses, show alternating influences not only in the construction
of the songs, but in ambiance and tempos as well. "Sometimes she cries"
swings well and its guitar solo is totally blues; yet The other side is very
pop/rock, with a beautiful duel of synthesizers vs. guitars at the end. "Abandoned
children" with its guitar riffs and its supported tempos over soft synthesizer
background sounds is a good prog/rock FM, then again "Moving on"
is a beautiful classic piano/vocal ballad. In opposition, "Run"
is an energetic track combining lots of jazzy parts sounding like Flower
Kings and other very progressive-metal bands typical for Magellan
[record company]. You must admit that there are worse references. "Loosing
faith", the last track is a little more developed (approximately 8 minutes).
It is a rather calm track, starting with keyboards and a guitar reminiscent
of Pink Floyd, leading into a little jazzy piano part, followed
by a good guitar solo and finally a blanc (!) which precedes an “a cappella”
section. A very personal way of ending an album which is surprisingly well
produced, even if a little more power and roundness from the bass/drums tandem
would have been welcomed. Alike the bird decorating the album cover, we wish
Devas to take flight as well and may they bring us more of
this kind of work on this level. A band to be continued.