“The Misplaced Childhood of the 90’s... a masterpiece... without doubt their best album and probably one of the best neo-progressive albums ever... probably the success of the end of the 20th century... ingenious!” [Progjet (translated from French)]

“This is a wonderful recording, far and away Iluvatar’s crowning achievement to date and among the best neo-progressive outings available. No new ground is broken - these guys are still mining post-Gabriel Genesis and commercial Yes. But the melodies are punchier, the arrangements more nuanced, and the performances more inspired. It could be said the group finally has an identity of its own, independent of their inspiration and influences. There’s not a weak track in the bunch. But the real standouts are the episodic, nine-minute opener Sojourns, Dreaming With the Lights On (with some amazing instrumental work toward the conclusion, on a par with Yes’ instrumental freakouts), and the anthem Better Days, which ends with a fantastic guitar flight. The concluding 15-minute Indian Rain is1 Iluvatar’s masterwork. It’s so moving that when the opening vocal melody reappears near the conclusion in a major chord variation, it’s hard not to get teary eyed. Highly recommended.” [Progression]

“Those missing the neo-prog styling of UK favorites Marillion, Galahad or IQ, for example, will find the tradition alive in Iluvatar... This is the Marillion that Marillion left behind with and after Brave. Having said that, the album’s opener Sojourns begins in a Rabin-era Yes like fashion with hints of both Collins-led Genesis (early 80’s), Emerson Lake & Palmer, and Spock’s Beard, before a very Rothery-esque guitar chimes in. Though here again, Marillion forms the basis for some stylistic ideas, a structure adapted from Gabriel-led Genesis, where intense musical pieces are offset by more pastoral interludes... What Iluvatar capture in their sound is a strong emotional resonance - the arrangements breathe, are epic and subtle, lyrical, enveloping - all these things that I personally love about the neo-prog segment of the genre. Soaring keyboard, guitar and vocals lift and carry you along. There is so much feeling here that it can become a truly emotional experience... Story is an often-beautiful album that doesn’t compromise integrity for the sake of familiarity, though it will satiate those longing for the Marillion of old. It should also appeal to fans of neo-prog in general.” [Progressive World]

“This album definitely lives up to the promise of their debut album some years ago... they have again struck that rich vein of tunes and musical excellence that will have all progheads up and dancing (or at least nodding appreciatively in time to the music). It captures all that is good about modern neo-prog. There are some rocky sections, some of which sound as if they have been listening to classic Marillion, and others which come totally out of left field... there is still plenty of time for interplay, musical jousting and switches of time signature and melody, along with everything else that will keep the proghead amused. A wonderful album that will be a great addition to the collection of those into progressive rock.” [Feedback (Kev Rowland)]

“Iluvatar practices a very melodic progressive rock with roots that were planted by 70’s Genesis or early Marillion. Sojourns is a 9 minute track, and despite being very elaborate in arrangement, has a smart bridge/chorus section characteristic of Gabriel’s last foray in Genesis. Glenn McLaughlin’s vocals play an important role by being either evocative or expressive. In Savant, my favorite track, Dennis Mullin delivers awesome acoustic and electric guitar interplay with Jim Rezek’s keyboard landscapes. A melodic bass line, driven by Dean Morekas, dominates the rhythm of Dreaming with the Lights On while in Holidays and Miracles the keyboard soloing takes the spotlight. Even Angels Fall is a ballad swarming with acoustic splendor and beautiful vocals. The album says farewell with a 15-minute epic that swirls through various phases and a dramatic atmosphere.” [Carlos Tavares (Portuguese DJ and writer)]

“As always, Iluvatar demonstrate their melodic strength and truly retain their position as America’s premiere neo-progressive band... Most of all I found a brilliant development in the keyboards, which takes the music to an even higher level.” [Progressive Newsletter (translated from German)]

“Iluvatar is back! ...A Story Two Days Wide contains basically the same sound that has made them the US’ premier neo-progressive band... Their vocalist, Glenn McLaughlin, still has a vocal style that should make Yes’ Jon Anderson nervous if that group ever decided to begin a youth movement, and Iluvatar’s overall sound is still basically a mix of late 80’s Marillion and the previously mentioned Yes (particularly in the keyboard work), with touches of Pendragon, IQ and even 80’s Rush... This isn’t to say the band has stagnated during their long hiatus; Better Days shows some definite modern touches with ‘digital’ sounding keyboards and the same effect applied to the filtered vocals, although I can hear elements of Signals-era Rush creeping into this tune. The guitars also seem to be cranked up another notch... Dennis Mullin does some fine soloing on the record, but also has his harder-edged moments on the disc, these moments usually balanced on the next verse with acoustic guitar... Another difference I’ve noticed in this disc is well showcased in the fifteen minute final cut, Indian Rain, which has a rather darker feel than Iluvatar’s previous works. For the most part I’ve always felt the band had a light, uplifting feel to their music and on this new disc it seems the music has a darker, or colder feel to it. This isn’t a bad thing; I’m not implying the music is depressing in any form; maybe I should describe it as having a more serious sound instead. Besides, the last few minutes of Indian Rain has some beautiful keyboard playing that is anything but depressing. However you want to describe the sound of this new material, it’s still an Iluvatar disc, which means you’re hearing the best in American neo-progressive music, and along with Spock’s Beard, the best in US prog - bar none!” [Promethean Crusade]

“A Story Two Days Wide is a grown-up record for Iluvatar, the record of maturity. Without breaking any rules or redefining any boundaries, Iluvatar offers us an album well written, well played, perfectly produced and superbly packaged. Fans of neo-prog will be delighted. Other who have a more ambiguous relation with this sub-genre could be surprised by the quality and strength of these songs. This record has the appeal of IQ’s Ever or The Wake. Very strongly recommended.” [Delire Musical]

“Iluvatar always held a special place in my progressive heart ever since their first release... Iluvatar have been around for some time now and very unfairly always tended to be pushed toward the neo-progressive corner. With this new album Iluvatar surely prove there is ‘more to them than meets the eye’... And what an album it turned out to be. From the first note of Sojourns to the massive epic Indian Rain, they managed to captivate me.” [Background]

“A Story Two Days Wide... is easily their most refined and adventurous release yet. With the opening track Sojourns, it is clear Iluvatar want to break away from the constant Genesis and Marillion comparisons. This is a more aggressive band guitar-wise, and the use of vintage keyboard sounds will please any neo-prog snob. Dreaming With the Lights On is another example of a move towards more complex music heavy on melody and dynamics... As always, the main highlight is singer Glenn McLaughlin. His strong, high-pitched vocals are as passionate as always, resembling a cross between Geddy Lee and Phil Collins, but much more melodic. He is at his best during the moody pieces... where he changes his pitch along with the tempo of the song. This technique adds a great sense of drama to the songs, and combined with the great musicianship makes this a winner.” [Sea of Tranquility]