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NEW EDEN ORCHESTRA is a GLASS HAMMER-like
Pittsburg band which has existed for some time, now finally
releasing anyMAN(that's 'any' in lowercase letters and MAN
in big letters), their debut. They have a strong melodic sensibility
and offer a non-prog-metal aggressive stance in places(Magellan,
perhaps), with somewhat 'studio-like' production. In fact,
there isn't much of a guitar presence much of the time and
few guitar solos. The keyboards dominate with a lot of unique
atmospheric or symphonic textures which at once panoramic
and tasteful.***
The vocals tracks are very much
in the melodic song-based format, though many short instrumental
weave in and around them as the album becomes more and more
atmospheric and instrumental as it progresses. Lyrics are
at least unique and perceptive in places. This album merits
some repeat listenings.***
The tracks include:
JIHAD: probably the most obvious
'proggy' one in the expected way and sums up the overall direction
of a lot of the vocal tracks on the album: melodic song-based
tunes with strong vocals which fit the style and shifting
textures. This is also the longest at over 8 minutes.***
THAT'S LIFE: bouncy rhythm with
some odd lyrics and vocal harmonies.***
ODE TO THE EX: nice Neo sound with
good harmonies and interesting keys, though a tad short.***
SIREN'S SONG: synthy and serene
instrumental.***
GOLDEN FLEECE: sprightly keys and
strong vocals with medeival-sounding sections.***
DAYDREAMS: a short and acoustic-style
vocal track which recalls Kansas shaking hands with Jadis.***
BUILD A BETTER MOUSETRAP: Wakemaneque
synths, multi-sections, again the vocals might remind me of
Gary Chandler(Jadis). The atmosphere on this one is hard to
explain...***
BOLL WEEVIL'S FLEA CIRCUS: playful
instrumental straight from some sort of whimsical Tim Burton-type
film which is rather short.***
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: another
instrumental, this time a full band workout in a Yes-like
direction with some tastey organ and rhythm section interplay.***
SAVANAS: an atmospheric song track
with cinematic keys and light exotic rhythms.***
THE MAELSTROM: instrumental with
bass guitar emphasis and more Wakeman-like synths and a small
moment where the guitar lets loose.***
DEATH AND HIS HALF-BROTHER, SLEEP:
a Steve Howe-like acoustic guitar instrumental which sets
up the next track.***
FULL: fine ballad with additional
female vocals duet and nice power-chord keyboard textures.
The vocals work like a charm on this one, an album highlight.***
CATACOMBS: another dreamy panoramic
synth-based piece which cannot help but conjure images of
whatever you might envision while listening to this, one of
the more successful instrumentals on the album.***
DEJA VUE: a more driving track
with possibly a 90's ELP sound in places with a harder edged
AOR rock sound in others which never gets too hard.***
ANYMAN: proggy instrumental track
which seems to be steering the listener towards the end of
the album.***
ECHOES: short tribal-sounding instrumental
which serves as a sort of postlude.***
BACK TO THE TRIBE: last track is
a vocal one which is mostly more of the same of which came
before. Again, clear vocals and keyboards 'n' rhythms dominate,
with the track closing in anthem-style fade.***
A decent effort with enough variety
within these mostly shorter tracks, well worth more listenings.***
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