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IN A WORLD
Tracklist:
In a World (16:22);
This Dream Part I (1:06);
Common Ground (4:37);
Merkaba (3:14);
All Along (5:09);
The Space in Between (4:58);
I Am the Energy (4:10);
Point of View (4:49);
Power to Mend (10:03);
Find (4:09);
The Balance (8:42);
This Dream Part II/In a World (Reprise) (5:03)
LINEUP
Rick Duncan- Drums, guitar, keyboards
Todd Plant- Vocals, guitar
Sam Conable- Bass, vocals
Timothy Keese- Guitar, vocals
Howard Helm- Keyboards, vocals
REVIEW
I have been impressed with these guys ever since I saw them give an incredible, show-stopping performance back at Rosfest 2005, and their debut release "Moments Of Clarity" is a superb album that still gets
regular play by me. Consequently I had been looking forward to the follow up.
Since the last album, due to various musical commitments, John Zahner the original keyboard player has left the band to be replaced by the very capable Howard Helm.
The opener and title track "In A World" will be familiar to some from the earlier version on the Live At Rosfest CD, and is still just as impressive; an epic track with many interesting twists and turns
along the way, with both a jazz-flavored section featuring trumpet/synth and an acoustic, Spanish/mexican style section.
the piece utlises those exquisite harmonies that the band do so well, and is led as always by the incredible vocal talents of Todd Plant, who comes across superbly during the majestic climax - that mans got a helluva set of lungs!
"This Dream Pt 1" is a very short acoustic track followed up by "Common Ground" which is a good solid rocker, but a little ordinary. Not a bad song, well performed and with a great synth solo from
Howard Helm, but after a few listens now it does not really stand out for me, but I would point out that it is the only track on the album I cannot really get to grips with.
"Merkaba" is a jaunty, appealing little instrumental that does not outstay it's welcome and has some great guitar/keyboard interplay between Howard and guitarist Tim Keese.
Next up is "All Along" -
now this is where the band really play to their strengths. This track is a very appealing melodic ballad with an incredible vocal from Todd . And it's not only Todd that shines on vocals here, the harmony work from the rest of the band at the climax is quite incredible. It has that strong 80's AOR feel to it that I often hear in the bands music, and that's meant as a compliment.
"The Space In Between" is an impressive track with a very strong chorus, melodic acoustic guitar passages mixed with rockier moments and a mental guitar solo from Spocks Beards Al Morse which he really lets
rip on.
As for "I Am The Energy", this is something of a revelation. It kicks off atmospherically with electonica and what sounds like sampled helicopter sounds, similar to the opening of Floyds "Another Brick
In The Wall". Soon however Sam Conable thunders in with some room-shaking bass notes and we are off into a fast, furious, metal-flavoured and somewhat uncharacteristic Cryptic Vision track, but a more
than welcome one.
With wild guitar solo's, chunky hammond organ and Rick Duncan's pounding drums, this is certainly the heaviest I have ever heard the band get and it should be heard by those who constantly critiscise the band for being a derivative 70's/80's prog throwback. Personally, I think they should mix tracks like this in with the melodic numbers more often - it creates a great contrast to their normal style.
Just when I was starting to think the band were turning into a metal act, back they come with "Point Of View", one of those patented melodic, upbeat and infuriatingly catchy numbers that they do so well - I
just can't seem to get that chorus out of my mind. One of my faves, this is a song that just seems to put you in a good mood and it makes me remember why I started listening to prog in the first place. On top of
evrything else the luistener is treated to a David Ragsdale violin solo as well - what's not to like?
"Power To Mend" has a quiet, low key but atmospheric opening with synth washes and gentle guitar which gives way to some incredibly tight bass and drum work before were off into one of those great,
sing-along choruses.
Damn...hooked again. And another great solo keyboard solo yet again from Howard, one of those, expressive, guitar-style solo's that I happen to be particularly fond of. Todd's vocal is
particularly impressive here, very intense and sung in a slightly lower register than usual, showing the incredible scope of his vocal range. The whole thing is rounded off nicely with a reprise of the main chorus,
sung acapella style by all the band.
Stabbing bass synth notes "Open Find", which has a nice funky feel to it but again is one of those tracks that just does not really seem to stand out, despite many listens. I can appreciate it musically and
it has another great solo from Al Morse, but somehow does not have an appealing enough melody for me.
Things improve greatly with "The Balance". After a very film-theme style keyboard opening melody, typically strong melodies and chorus give way to a very Spock's Beard inspired instrumental mid section that
is just pure prog heaven - Hammond organ and synths dancing around fiery guitar passages, all powered along by the powerful rhythm section.
"This Dream part 2" kicks off in epic, orchestral style, before segueing into a quiet, acoustic reprise from opening track In A World...but it doesn't remain quiet for long, building to an incredible,
soaring, sustained note from Todd before treating us to that wonderful, majestic end section from the title track, finishing the album in fine style.
Overall "In a World" is a very good album, but for me does not quite have the coherence of the bands debut album, which I can happily listen to all the way through without skipping any of the tracks. A
couple of aforementioned songs on this one, though well performed, are just a little undistinguished and don't stand up quite as well as the rest of the album.
That said this is still an album I would recommend - it's good to see the band stretching out on tracks such as "I Am The Energy", and to find that they still know how to craft fine melodies and catchy
choruses. Considering the band have not been together very long and are only just starting to gig regularly (and they are a superb live act despite this, make no mistake), I still think they have great things ahead
of them and certainly have it within them to produce an absolutely killer album.
John Morley - August 6th 2006
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