GlendaleViper
Yep, words.
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2006
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Quote:
Well, I've picked up their debut S/T, sophomore release "Mirage" and fourth album "Moonmadness". Like any good prog band, they retain a style/sound of their own, but it gets different every time. Here are my thoughts so far:
Self-Titled: Great debut, much more Rock oriented and straight-ahead, but with some early prog elements and wonderful musicianship. Sounds almost like a cross between Santana and early Genesis. Not a highly technical album, but a GREAT rock album and extremely involving. Current release on redbook includes two bonus tracks, one of which is a 20 minute live jam that really showcases their talents. This is a riffy album on all counts but it definitely sounds like they're struggling with identity. Accessible and FUN.
Mirage: Much more developed, slightly jazzy and with the first appearance of the flute (guitarist is also the band flautist). Also, more synths on this one, whereas the previous album was almost exclusively Hammond as far as keys are concerned. Just the same, this is still very much in the vein of their debut - not overly progressive but not straight ahead rock, either. Guitarist seems to have found his identity here, making everything seem a little more fresh for the time.
Moonmadness: A wonderful concept album - this is one of those albums, like Fragile (Yes) or Ummagumma (Pink Floyd), where the basic premise is to have a track for each band member, composed by the indivudual. There are seven tracks total, the other three used to hold the album together. Very spacey, builds heavily on soundscapes (a great headphone album) and overall extremely satisying. This is an album where the impact of the music can be lost if you don't sit down with the intent purpose of listening.
My only gripe is the vocals, which are tacked on (literally, well documented) and performed by the band members. Singing is not a strong suit for any of them, but it's far from bad, just passable.
Excellent stuff, with surprisingly good production values, as well. Even the debut has great stereo and instrument seperation (some of the best recorded Hammond/Leslie I've ever heard). Each member is talented without resorting to "virtuosic wankery" and have a real knack for memorable hooks. Highly recommended - start from the beginning!
Oh, and you should be able to pick up their early stuff fairly cheap.
Oh, and back to the earlier comments on Fragile: I put an order in for the MFSL CD and Hoffman/Gray 180g vinyl of Fragile (along with the MFSL vinyl of Hot Buttered Soul) through Acoustic Sounds. Can't wait!
| Originally Posted by Sordel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Tell me more ... not a band I've ever heard. |
Well, I've picked up their debut S/T, sophomore release "Mirage" and fourth album "Moonmadness". Like any good prog band, they retain a style/sound of their own, but it gets different every time. Here are my thoughts so far:
Self-Titled: Great debut, much more Rock oriented and straight-ahead, but with some early prog elements and wonderful musicianship. Sounds almost like a cross between Santana and early Genesis. Not a highly technical album, but a GREAT rock album and extremely involving. Current release on redbook includes two bonus tracks, one of which is a 20 minute live jam that really showcases their talents. This is a riffy album on all counts but it definitely sounds like they're struggling with identity. Accessible and FUN.
Mirage: Much more developed, slightly jazzy and with the first appearance of the flute (guitarist is also the band flautist). Also, more synths on this one, whereas the previous album was almost exclusively Hammond as far as keys are concerned. Just the same, this is still very much in the vein of their debut - not overly progressive but not straight ahead rock, either. Guitarist seems to have found his identity here, making everything seem a little more fresh for the time.
Moonmadness: A wonderful concept album - this is one of those albums, like Fragile (Yes) or Ummagumma (Pink Floyd), where the basic premise is to have a track for each band member, composed by the indivudual. There are seven tracks total, the other three used to hold the album together. Very spacey, builds heavily on soundscapes (a great headphone album) and overall extremely satisying. This is an album where the impact of the music can be lost if you don't sit down with the intent purpose of listening.
My only gripe is the vocals, which are tacked on (literally, well documented) and performed by the band members. Singing is not a strong suit for any of them, but it's far from bad, just passable.
Excellent stuff, with surprisingly good production values, as well. Even the debut has great stereo and instrument seperation (some of the best recorded Hammond/Leslie I've ever heard). Each member is talented without resorting to "virtuosic wankery" and have a real knack for memorable hooks. Highly recommended - start from the beginning!
Oh, and you should be able to pick up their early stuff fairly cheap.
Oh, and back to the earlier comments on Fragile: I put an order in for the MFSL CD and Hoffman/Gray 180g vinyl of Fragile (along with the MFSL vinyl of Hot Buttered Soul) through Acoustic Sounds. Can't wait!
