About Time, the debut album from Also Eden was released in the autumn of 2006. Below are just a few reviews ...

Background magazine -(NL - trans)

One of the best album releases of 2006 is the debut album made by the British progressive rock band Also Eden. For me is it a true masterpiece. With "About Time" they've made an album which contains only highlights. Every musician in the band spent a lot of hours at the Steep Studios. The result was an album which contains fantastic music which reminded me of bands such as Pendragon, Pallas, IQ and early Marillion. But also Genesis must have been an influence for the band. Lead singer Huw LIoyd-Jones has a very warm voice sometimes sounding like Peter Gabriel in his younger days. But another great singer came most of all to my mind when I played the five tracks on "About Time". His name is Alan Reed (Pallas). Just like this Scottish singer has Huw a lot of passion and emotions in his voice. Bravo! But I also have to give the next two persons a big complement. Simon Rogers (guitars) and Ian Hodson (keyboards) are musicians who dare to play great solo's on their instruments. We don't hear so much awesome playing nowadays. Also the rhythm section has to be mentioned. Without Ralvin Thomas (bass) and Mark "DB"Hall (drums) the music would not have the drive which it certainly needs. Unfortunately the last one had to step out of the band due to personal circumstances. Hopefully will they get a good replacement for DB. Sometimes a review does not need a lot of words to tell how incredible an album is. "About Time" belongs to this category. I can simply say that it's about time that every proghead gets this album as soon as possible. Don't wait another day to get this masterpiece in your collection. Highly recommended and therefore only the highest rating is good enough for an album which took almost 13 years before we finaly could enjoy it! ***** (Henri Strik).

Progarchives - full review HERE)

Also Eden is not a typical neo prog band.I think the display symphonic prog.instead. Neo prog.is the more easy listening symp.modern prog. with touches of electronic pop prog.

This band interprets symphonic prog.because is a mix of melodic prog with art rock. In this state of things i must say AE is an expression of the resurrection of the symphonic prog.based in the traditional bands of this style of prog as Genesis, Yes and early King Crimson.

Vocals(which are beautiful) are very similar to Alan Reed,s of Pallas. I think this is a perfect mix between Genesis,IQ and Pallas but with their original touch. Excellent melodies, instrumental arrangements and instrumental interpretations.

5 stars - Robert Sargent

Fireworks Magazine

My introduction to Also Eden was somewhat unorthodox, as you will read in my live review elsewhere in this issue, but I certainly saw and heard more than enough to realise that this band are special. I bought a CD immediately and I am pleased to say that my instincts didn’t let me down as it is a superb release and one of the best debuts I have encountered in a long time.

With new bands everyone wants comparisons so I give you Pallas, mid-period Marillion, Arena, Jadis and IQ, and yes they thoroughly deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as such exalted company.

For an independent release the sonics and production are stunning and every one of the five tracks really hits the spot in terms of composition, melody, performance and lyrics. In vocalist, Huw Lloyd-Jones the band have someone with a wonderfully sonorous and distinctive voice, which to me comes across as a delicious mix of Alan Reed (Pallas), in terms of expression and Alison Moyet for the timbre. Guitarist, Simon Rogers, is another talented player who will delight anyone who hankers after the sort of divine, fluid and expressive solos Steve Rothery (Marillion) used to serve up. Ian Hodson, produces a nice range of keyboard sounds with a perfect balance between leading and underpinning depending on need. Indeed Rogers and Hodson both do an excellent job of accentuating and embellishing without loosing focus of the song at hand.
Unfortunately, drummer, Mark Hall, and bassist, Ralvin Thomas may no longer be part of the band, which would be a shame as both demonstrate some fine moves on this album.

In true neo-Prog style the tracks are lengthy, the shortest being ‘Pandora’ at 6 minutes, which is acoustically driven and features a great refrain that hooks into the brain with ease. In fact that is a feature as each song has melody in abundance. Every track has substance but like all the best Prog the longer tracks never outstay their welcome as they flow effortlessly, and every one of them is a highlight.

Opening track, ‘Between the Lines’ starts with a great riff, bass pedals and atmospheric keyboards, which spells class the moment you hear it. The quality never wavers from that point. Also Eden are a wonderful addition to the Prog family and had I come into possession of the album earlier it may well have featured in my ‘Best of’ list for 2006.
Review by Gary Marshall

Progarchives full review HERE)
I was such a lucky one to listen to this album. I came across it occasionally, and it struck me with its beauty, emotions and crafty melodies. Imagine a mix of classic MARILLION, GENESIS, IQ, PENDRAGON and PINK FLOYD hooks like ballad codas, rocky moments (frequent double bass drum!), catchy and memorable verses and choruses with thought-provoking lyrics, touching guitar solos and excellent keyboard work (from “Cinema Show”-like solos to background Mellotron/Hammond/synth layers). ALSO EDEN are brave enough to release “About Time” on their own, without any label’s help. Unfortunately this can work against the band – they’re really that much good and professional to be recognized among Top Retro-Proggers of today like MAGENTA or FLOWER KINGS. They are very much sincere in what they’re doing, and if you would like to get something classy like “The Masquerade Overture” (PENDRAGON), “Mirror of Insanity” (RED SAND) or “Moonshine” (COLLAGE), look for nobody else but ALSO EDEN folks (and their CD!). Extremely recommended without hesitation; 4.5 stars and high hopes for future works to come. Thank you so much for the music!!!
Review by Igor Sidorenko (

SonicBond

Fans of IQ, Genesis, Pendragon and Arena are sure to enjoy the fresh, powerful sound of South West of England-based Also Eden.
Fronted by the powerfully-voiced Huw Lloyd-Jones, the band have built up a strong reputation built around some key live performances, most notably at the Summers End Prog Festivals in 2005 and 2006. Their debut album - About Time - has just been released and has been well worth the wait - a delicious selection of prog epics with soaring, Hackett-esque guitars, lush keyboards and poignant lyrics.

DPRP - full review HERE)
Over all, About Time is a promising debut album. The CD is well packaged and looks better than a lot of major label releases. If you remember the so-called prog-rock revival of the 1980s with fondness, then Also Eden have done a decent job of updating that sound and may well be worth checking out. Go on, take a listen to the samples on their website, you know you want to!
Conclusion: 6.5 out of 10