I'm listening to the first track, as I write this. I like the beginning, instantly. It reminds me of the CD cover. There's something creepy about it, like something hidden, and then there's that beautiful sunset.
There's also an element about it that makes me think of the X-Files, like those episodes where they're running around in some woods or another, chasing aliens, or running from them.
It's a very calming track, in general. I like the use of the sting instruments. I like how a beat is added as the track goes on, and it doesn't ruin the tranquility of the piece at all. Overall, this reminds me of autumn - the season.
The second track is starting, now. It's starting off quiet. Again, with the subtle creepiness, like something is wrong, or will go wrong. It sounds sad. More like winter, rather than autumn, with the combination of the instruments. I think of little snowflakes.
Maybe someone from inside a house, looking out the window, and seeing the snow fall. Not a happy place, though. There's a part in a story I'd read as a child, from the Redwall Series by Brian Jaques. It was the second part of Martin the Warrior's story, Mossflower. In the beginning, it describes a forst in the middle of winter, with all of the animals in their huts, although most of the huts stand empty. The remaining animals are being pushed around by this tyrant wildcat and his horde, being "taxed" for food, and just about everything else, so they have nothing. This track sounds like it would be perfect for that scene.
Overall, I actually like how you didn't really have any sort of drums or percussion in this piece. It would make the emotion sound too quick, which doesn't quite fit it.
The third track is now starting. This beginning still sounds sad, like a continuation of the last one, but it sounds like some sort of trial has ended, almost like surviving soldiers standing before a battle-field, littered with the bodies of both friend and foe. That kind of trial. Where you're happy that it's over, but you're not happy about what it took to win.
Now, at the middle of the song, where the beat picks up... definitely reminds me of a war. Perhaps a flashback of the battle, reminders of the heat of the moment. The enemy charging down at them while they bravely stand their ground. When the rock-part ends, or perhaps just an interlude, you go back to the classic strings.
The rock-parts don't ruin the feel of the piece at all, and only add to the emotion of it. Many different groups and bands try this technique, and quite a few fail where I feel you have succeeded. I have the feeling that this track will definitely be one of my favorites in this alubm.
I'm listening to the third track, Tim. The beginning, as the track starts, makes me think of war again, because of the brass. It sounds very sad, for lack of better explanation. The percussion which is added later on seems to fit the piece as well as the vocals. I would probably like it better if I understood French. :)
I greatly enjoyed the jazzy influence of the piece, but it felt to me that something was missing.
The fifth track starts off nicely. The sound is strong at the beginning, instead of it being built up, but then it stays that way. The piano added seems to weaken it, and slow it down. The piece is short, and while it was not done poorly, I'm not a fan of how slow it is. I usually like things with more energy.
I'm listening to White Shores, now. Starts off with different sound effects, very different from the classical theme you have going in your album. You also have the beat added close to the beginning of the piece, where you generally waited longer. A little change in pace, eh?
This track reminds me of old SNES and Sega Saturn racing games, specifically WipeOut and F-Zero. Sounds like the kind of music that would be played for a track, maybe something along the lines of a "boss" race, where the guy you're racing is the asshole who knocked up your sister, or something, so you're determined to beat him, but he's more skilled than you are, ans had a better car. You kick his butt, anyway.
Towards the middle of the track, the music slows down, and the beat is taken away. Sort of an interlude. Reminds me of another game, an old Saturn one, called Panzer Dragoon. There's a level where you're flying around in a desert, but you need to go through a cave. The music in that level did the same thing as what you've done with this piece; they sound very similar, in a good way. The beat eventually builds up. This track seems to sound happier than the others in the album. Maybe that conflict has been resolved, eh?
The seventh, and final, track is playing, now. It starts off with a powerful sound, loud. Slowly builds up, but it's no longer sounding happy. It uses a distorted electronic sound to build up, one I'm not too fond of. You've dropped the more classical element, again. Once the build-up is done, the song sounds more happy, childlike. It doesn't seem to quite fit the other tracks in this album.
Overall, I like this album quite a bit. I will maintain that tracks 1 and 3 are my favorites. I don't really think the last two tracks belong in this album; they sound different in theme.
Keep up the good work, and I await more of your work. :)