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NEW ZEALAND:
I first picked this trio up on MP3.COM, and was quite taken aback at the
extremely high quality of their music, both in terms of the arrangements
and the production. You could tell this effort was not put together in
the back bedroom or in the downstairs basement on a dodgy 4-track Tascam!
We get the full monty on this album of tracks by this Detroit based outfit.
Not only do they crank out good music, but it seems they run a production
and recording facility. So I suppose it's a case of practice what you preach.
Talking of preach, these guys are Christian, so the music inevitably compares
to others of the genre, but added in there is a commercial but progressive
element. On the rockier tracks, Idle Cure and Kerry Livgren's A.D easily
comes to mind, while on the quieter ones, Illustrator permeates out of
the history books like a long lost cloud from the eighties.
The songs I'd originally
heard on MP3.COM sound heaps better on CD, and that says something as I
thought they were great. The quality really comes to life. Their opening
number 'Do You Still Believe In Love' is a mid-paced effort written by
Chris Eaton (featured elsewhere on this site). Their excellent 'Soldiers
Of The Crown' is featured here again, like a hi-tech cross between Illustrator
and Fighter. 'When I Think Of You' opens slowly before breaking out onto
the AOR highway in top gear, complete with pulsing bass lines and swinging
guitars.
We get some pomp bombast through the middle of 'This Way Forever', which
has a very big and spacious production. 'Messiah Song' is an interesting
track, initially a complex intro before settling into a melodic rock track
that Kerry Livgren would feel at home with. 'No Two Masters' also features
the female vocal talent of D.J Stevenson, who sounds like Debbie Davis
(Witness)! No kidding!! 'In Your Name' continues the melodic presence,
building to some big chorus climaxes. 'On Stand Up And Shout' you can hear
Sweet Crystal in a live context, and believe me they sound rather awesome.
Also heard are some big sound effects coming through. While their coup
de grace is the fantastic hi-tech Tangerine Dream flavored instrumental
'Ominicity'. This is one for the Air Keyboardists among you. Superb stuff.
For those with a liking for Christian melodic rock, without going through
the normal CCM channels, then go seek Sweet Crystal like I did.
For fans of keyboard
based arrangements with quality production then join the queue. To find
out what all the fuss is about, there will be an interview to follow with
Marq very shortly..
- George Thatcher,
Editor
HEART of the ROCK
website
URL:
www.heartoftherock.com
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