Alan Case - Dark Matter (1999)

Originally released in Japan as Wide Awake. This version has an alternate tracklisting including 3 additional tracks and re-recorded Drums and Bass Guitar. Alan CASE, born Ernst van der Kerkhof, is a multi-instrumentalist who's been making music since 1989. His material, similar to KAYAK and The ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, is basically good symphonic pop: a mixture of straightforward rock songs, dreamy ballads and lots of melodious, catchy tunes - some of them with a decidedly proggy flavour. Sadly, his solo work was completely ignored by the music industry in his native Holland and he ended up with a Japanese label who released several of his songs on compilation albums.

The two albums credited to his name ("Wide Awake" and "Dark Matter") are actually one and the same, only the second contains three extra tracks. CASE surrounds himself with 7 musicians and shares the vocals with three other vocalists. Although most of the 16 tracks on "Dark Matter" are short, their quality is undeniable. However, the album also contains an epic 11-minute song featuring an impressive variety of tempo changes, complex passages, elegant arrangements and absolutely beautiful melodies.

Track List

01. I Wonder Why [4:39]
02. Mindless [3:04]
03. I Don't Need A Lover [6:23]
04. The Borderline [3:09]
05. Dark Nights [4:00]
06. All About You [2:37]
07. Mistake Of A Lifetime [4:59]
08. Nighteye [4:08]
09. Fast Asleep [11:15]
10. Crawl Out Of These Mountains [5:07]
11. Make It Happen [4:38]
12. Innocent Eyes [4:32]
13. Celebrate Your Life [4:08]
14. The Hurting [2:03]
15. Wide Awake [5:23]
16. Het Nieuwe Land [3:07]