: : REVIEW : :
Formerly known as Witsend,
this little ole band from Ohio released an excellent CD back in 1993 called Cosmos
and Chaos. For whatever reason that CD, while topnotch went basically unnoticed by
prog rock critics and prog music lovers at that time.
Fast forward to 2003 and the
same lineup releases their second release under the band name Syzygy. It appears in
the ensuing 10 years “they” never formally secured the name Witsend and by the time
they were ready to release The Allegory of Light, someone else ‘owned’ the name
Witsend. Thus Syzygy was born.
I must tell you this is one
excellent progressive rock CD. The listener can easily find some familiar parts
throughout this entire CD all the while realizing that the entire CD is very unique.
Carl’s guitar work is
blazing while not over the top in any way. While at times he is simply ripping, his
subtle touch on his various axes makes you realize why some of the “so called”
guitar gods are really just wankers.
Sam’s effective use of
keyboards and synths is also very subtly done. There are times when you can hear
the roots of bands like ELP all without the Emerson-esque bombastic grand piano
twirling in the air theatrics.
And then there is the
wonderful drumming of Paul Mihacevich.
Paul just seems to know
exactly how to play within this group. Not only that he knows exactly when to let
it all lose. I guess bottom line the entire band “knows” how to play truly as a
group.
No egomaniacal guitar
player, no in your face layer upon layer upon layer of keyboards and no extraneous
runaway double kick bass or drum roll fills. Just a very balanced attack that works
at all levels.
This is a great CD. You’ll
hear reminders of where these guys came from but you will also be treated to a CD
full of real personal music. At just over 60 minutes long the CD has no “filler”
just to have long songs. The two extended songs; The Allegory of Light and The
Journey of Myrrdin have no wasted notes, no extra stuff that makes you want to turn
it off. Nothing like the current excesses known as the recent Flower Kings CD.
While there are songs on
this CD with lyrics (only 3) this is predominately an instrumental CD that shows off
Syzygy as a solid band not as three rock god wanna be’s.
If you like early Genesis,
Spock’s Beard, IZZ, King Crimson (again early) and ELP you should fine this CD
exactly to your liking and will be pleasantly surprised at actually how fresh and
new it sounds while all along reminding you of those great bands past, present and
future.
Visit Syzygy at
www.syzygymusic.com As I stated when I reviewed their
Witsend release, buy this CD. If you love mellow, symphonic rock with just the
right touch of a ‘rock’ edge you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 9.0 of 10 Stars
Reviewed By: Stephen Ellis
: : Visit the artist
website : :
www.syzygymusic.com
:: DISCOGRAPHY ::
Witsend - Cosmos And Chaos -
1993
The Allegory Of Light - 2003 |
