Factory of Dreams - Poles

For those unfamiliar with the name, Factory of Dreams is the latest sonic artefact of Project Creation’s mentor Hugo Flores, a talented Portuguese guitarist and multi-instrumental musician whose background also includes Sonic Pulsar between an impressive and immeasurably list of participations with other musicians.
Joined by Swedish vocalist Jessica Letho, Factory of Dreams sees Hugo Flores delving into the realms of Progressive Rock and Electro-Gothic music and the end results aren’t too far removed from the latest Space-Rock-Opera of Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s Ayreon project. Sure, “Poles” is not as bold and textured as “01011001”, but there’s definitely some similar traits that somehow ties these two releases together. Like for example the multilayered song-writing and elaborated arrangements conveying a multitude of moods and emotions, mostly within a dark and more dramatic scope, the electric tone of the synthesizers that grants these songs with a mechanical edge and the enthralling vocal harmonies. There’s only one singer featured, but Jessica Letho possesses an outstanding and diverse voice that varies between an Operatic-tone to a more Jazzy-approach akin to Anneke van Giersbergen from The Gathering.
The criticisms that can be addressed to “Poles” include the somewhat clinical sound of programmed drums (it might have benefitted the songs if a real-acoustic drum set was used instead) and the muffled production that prevents the songs from sounding truly grandiose. Still, “Poles” is an enjoyable listening. (6.5/10)

Band info: www.myspace.com/projectcreation
Label info: www.progrockrecords.com