Search - Alaska :: Alaska

Great music

Antartica | Pacific Northwest | 01/22/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this, based upon dropping in on the Alaska web page. The samples on the page drove me to buy this CD. I think John O'Hara is one hell of a keyboardist. Al Lewis is a great drummer. However, Al's vocals left me less than impressed. While he might sound like Jon Anderson, he does not have the timbre and tune carrying capability. I think his vocals do a dis-service to the music. The music is great. It is either Al is trying too hard, or that they should have gotten a good prog singer. Al Lewis is no John Wetton, or even close to a Jon Anderson. Alaska should get a new voice."

Good Symphonic Rock

Michael S. Wellman | Okemos, MI USA | 12/13/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first album by the duo of John O'Hara and Al Lewis (presumably not the same Al Lewis who played Grandpa on "The Munsters"). The album is dominated by O'Hara's fine symphonic keyboards. O'Hara appears to have been heavily influenced by Keith Emerson. The singer, Lewis, sounds like Jon Anderson on an off day. At first, the similarity to Jon Anderson bothered me, but I finally got used to the vocals. Once I got used to the vocals, this album grew on me. There are no great songs on the album, but there are several good ones. The three best songs (Tiananmen Square, WellsBridge, and Forests of Heaven) are long songs at the end of the album. With the Emerson and Anderson influences, there is a decidedly 70's feel to the album, but that is not meant as a criticism. There is virtually no guitar on the album, which is a drawback. Overall, however, this is a good first effort that is recommended to fans of 1970's progressive rock."

Alaska ... OK but not great

Mark A. Wellman | Plaucheville, LA United States | 07/09/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, Lewis sounds like Jon Anderson, but I have no problem with that. The playing (keyboard and drums) is excellent, and the songs are dense and moody. But it lacks intensity. It is mostly mid-tempo stuff that creates great soundscapes but little excitement. Just as I would not care for too much intensity, too little leaves me unsatisfied."