This second solo release by S P Gulliver, or Slava Petchnikov, is much more of a pop release than anything. There are less well-known prog musicians taking part, and there seems to be little pretence on this being progressive. However, it's a nice pop recording with splatterings of the prog style for which Petchnikov is well known

The first song on this second release is the pop song "Kabalyero" (Caballero) which was apparently a pop hit on the radio. The voice of Natalya Nelyubova works well on this pop song. Nothing very special about this, though it is a good poppy tune. The piano solo sounds quite nice, as well as the guitar blip by Raul Jaanson. The acoustic guitar work, on the whole "Caballero" theme, works well and Jaanson plays it well. This is followed by "Pridi Mne Navstrechu" (Inspire To Meet Me), is a poppy tune that sounds a little like a pop version of Data at times. Upbeat tune, but the vocals of Valery Kiselev are quite weak. The middle instrumental section falls into the cheesy side of programming, sadly.

Following that is "Gorod" (The City), brings back Erich Krieger from Petchnikov's earlier solo work, Platsebo. A soft song, which has a feel of a Tony Banks piece a little, until it moves upbeat. The song has a mid-80s Genesis sound about it at points, despite its pop orientation. Raul Jaanson's guitar solo is the highlight here, a thoughtful and really nice solo. Following that is the upbeat and rocking "Maneken" (Mannequin). Valery Kiselev sounds much better on this song, as the music is proggy in its changing rhythms and interesting chord usage. Cool little bit. Again guitarist Jaanson brings a fitting little solo into this catchy song.

Ending side A is the strangely-titled "Dymchatiye kisti vinograda" (Smokey Coloured Bunch of Grapes). However, it starts out with a nice piano opening, then the voice of Kiselev returns. Otherwise a nice, softy, low-key piece to end the side.

Starting side B is an upbeat tune named "Ne plach" (Don't Cry), modelled much like other pop songs with a tinge of prog in the sound. Again the voice of Kiselev just doesn't do much for the song, as well as the weak harmony. The middle instrumental programmed section is okay, giving the song a bit more flavour. This is followed by "Pesnya" (The Song), which one immediately notice the stronger vocals of Valentin Burshtein. That gives this soft song a lot more character than many others on this cassette. However, the chorus is very weak and juxtaposed to the powerful lead vocals just ruins the song. Though at times the guitar sounds of Jaanson saves it somewhat, with a sharp snappy solo as well.

"Pora konchat igru" (Time to End the Game) follows, beginning with a nice piano bit before returning to an upbeat pop song. The female vocals of Nalyubova opens up the music much more and is a nice relief from the otherwise weak vocals of Kiselev -- who sings on most of the songs. That is followed by the return of the powerful voice of Erich Krieger for the title track "Vsyo kak son" (Everything is Like a Dream). The nice soft pop song has a Genesis feel about it, both in the keyboard sounds used by Petchnikov and the quiet guitar pickings of Jaanson. Petchnikov adds some nice acoustic guitar lines that would betray his bass playing origins. There is a nice piano break in the middle of the song, as well as nice bass and acoustic guitar work all done by Petchnikov. Excellent song, that would interest many of the large Genesis fan base.

Finally the cassette ends again with an instrumental, this time "Kolibri" (Hummingbird). The tune is much more relaxed than on his previous recording, a poppy instrumental piece. The piece typifies the style on the cassette.

This second solo release is much more on the pop vein than the first, and justifiably it found much more success on the radio and public. The songs are much more developed, though suffered from poor vocals at points. A relatively good pop recording, really.

Mel Huang
Tallinn, Estonia
11 August 1999

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